Known as Los Ficus, this complex of approximately 60 homes has been described as an “urban monstrosity” or a “technical stroke of genius” by social media users. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that the final stretch of the road connecting the residential area to the coast is built directly on top of its structure, serving as its physical base.
The construction of this building, which challenges the abrupt orography of the cliff, originated during a period of tourist boom in the islands. According to the book La playa de La Arena en Tacoronte, the initiative was driven by a local developer. The idea was considered “madness” by some due to the steep slope of the terrain.
However, the developer, along with another investor and an architect, managed to design and construct both the building and the vehicular access ramp in a very confined space.
“"The noises are barely audible; you even get used to them."
Despite the apparent proximity to traffic, the experience of living under the road is surprisingly quiet, according to testimonies from former residents. This “building-road” is a distinctive feature of Mesa del Mar, a locality that, thanks to these engineering works and the regeneration of La Arena beach (awarded a Blue Flag), has transformed from being inaccessible into a landmark of the Tenerife coastline.
While the video continues to accumulate views worldwide, Los Ficus stands as a testament to constructive ingenuity in Tenerife, where access to the sea can, quite literally, pass over a home.
