CICCA

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria · Category: Cultural spaces · Subcategory: Institutions · Year: 1859 · Authors: Manuel Ponce de León y Falcón

The building that houses the CICCA (Centro de Iniciativas de la Caja de Canarias, the bank's cultural centre) is the work of architect Manuel Ponce de León y Falcón, designed for the entailed estate for the Castillo de Olivares family, and dates from 1859. By the 20th century, the property was taken over by a hotel group: Regina, Negresco  and Cairasco, were the names it operated under, even while being the property of Monte de Piedad y Cajas de Ahorros de Las Palmas (savings bank) around the first half of last century. 

After the hotel was closed, La Caja de Canarias turned the basement and ground floor into a cultural centre under the name of Sala Cairasco. It was the headquarters for the Ballet del Atlántico, while on its walls the first creations by great island and foreign artists were exhibited.

In commemoration of La Caja de Canarias' 50th anniversy, it was decided to refurbish the building and carry out improvements to its facilities, in order to bring them up to scratch for their present use as an multipurpose cultural centre, while also giving the city back one of the emblematic buildings from its fine heritage. During restoration they faithfully respected the original façade, updating materials and preserving the old main courtyard as well as other characteristic features of the old structure. For this, they used Arucas quarry stone, along with marble and oak finishings. On 3rd May 1990, the CICCA reopened its doors, and since then its cultural and social activity has been non stop. 

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