H. P. Olsen Building

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Architecture · Subcategory: Civil architecture · Year: 1937 · Authors: José Enrique Marrero Regalado

Commercial and residential building designed in 1937 by the architect Marrero Regalado for the developer H. Peter Olsen to be built on the corner of Porlier and Álvarez de Lugo streets. Initially, it was conceived with only two floors; in 1941 it was expanded, becoming a much larger construction, as we see it today.

This work, framed within the canons of architectural rationalism, is an interesting contribution by Marrero in the field of collective housing in Santa Cruz. The façade is of great interest due to its layout and finish. It features a design with interesting elements: clear differentiation between the commercial ground floor and the upper floors intended for housing, combination of different textures, characteristic repetitive mouldings, sash windows and simple metal strip grilles.

Despite being on a corner, the enormous proportions of this building did not facilitate the classic chamfer typology, so often used by Marrero at that time. Nevertheless, this building, with exquisite finishes, is configured as a magnificent work where the play of volumes and the careful decorative treatment make it worthy of interest.

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