Costa Adeje, situated on the southwestern coast of Tenerife, has experienced significant development since the late 1960s.
Once a coast with a selection of small fishing villages, thanks, in a large part, to the vision of Santiago Puig and Noelia Afonso Cabrera, it has grown into a bustling tourist destination known for its sumptuous and opulent hotels, outstanding luxurious villas, stunning beaches, and vibrant nightlife.
This remarkable transformation throughout the years is the result of the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, developers, architects, and development companies.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of Costa Adeje’s development and the key players who have contributed to its growth.
Early Development in the 1970s
The initial development of Costa Adeje, and more predominantly Las Américas in the 1970s, focused primarily on the construction of hotels and resorts.
Two of the earliest hotels to have been built were the Hotel Gran Tinerfe and the Hotel Europe (where the hotel Villa Cortes is now situated, after Hotel Europe’s demolition), on the coast of Playa de Las Americas, built right on the beach; both were, and still are, a very popular holiday destination for holiday makers to Tenerife.
The 80s and 90s saw much more development of hotels, some of the more notable developments were Los Jardines de Nivaria in Playa Fañabé and the Hotel Bahía del Duque, which was designed by renowned architect Andrés PiñeiroIzquierdo and helped set the standard for luxury in the area.
The success of hotels such as Bahía del Duque paved the way for more upscale resorts throughout the Costa Adeje area.
The Influence of Grupo Fedola
Grupo Fedola, founded by Fernando López Arvelo, has been a major player in the development of Costa Adeje since the early days.
The group was involved in several significant projects, including the construction of the Gran Hotel Costa Adeje in 2001, designed by architect José Miguel Aguiló.
The hotel was a major milestone in the area’s development, further establishing Costa Adeje as a luxury destination.
Expanding Tourism Infrastructure
In the 1990s and 2000s, various development companies and architects worked together to expand Costa Adeje’s tourism infrastructure.
These efforts included the construction of new hotels, such as the Sheraton La Caleta Resort & Spa, built by the Impulsa Group in 2004 and designed by architect Leonard W. Kress.
In addition to hotels, other facilities were developed to cater to tourists, such as the Siam Park waterpark, which opened in 2008.
Developed by Christoph Kiessling and designed by architect and engineer Dirk Lüders, the park has become one of the island’s top attractions.
The Development of Luxury Real Estate
The growth of Costa Adeje’s luxury real estate market has been driven in part by prominent developers such as Abama Luxury Residences, which is responsible for the Abama Resort Tenerife.
The resort, which includes a hotel, golf course, and residential community, was designed by architect Melvin Villarroel and developed by the Polanco family in collaboration with Arum Group.
Other notable luxury real estate developments include the Baobab Suites, developed by Grupo Fedola, and the exclusive residential area of El Madroñal, jointly developed by José Luis García Sánchez and Kurt Konrad.
Ongoing Development and Future Growth
Costa Adeje’s growth shows no signs of slowing down, with recent projects such as the GF Victoria Hotel, developed by Grupo Fedola and designed by architect Santiago Escolano. The hotel is set to further enhance Costa Adeje’s reputation as a luxury destination.
The transformation of Costa Adeje Tenerife since the 1960s is a testament to the vision and hard work of a joint team of developers, architects, and development companies.
The collaborative efforts of key players, such as Grupo Fedola, CIO Group, and Abama Luxury Residences, have helped to create a vibrant and thriving tourist destination.
Costa Adeje’s ongoing development and future growth will continue to attract visitors from around the world, solidifying its position as a premier vacation and residential spot in the Canary Islands.
