Could Lanzarote´s capital city soon be home to an important new landmark building?  That will certainly be the case if the mayor of Arrecife gets his way.  As plans are afoot to use an area known as the Islote de Frances as the site for an impressive new structure.  With owners hoping that a major international name such as Sir Norman Foster can be attracted to the project.

The Islote de Frances is located in front of the Charco in the capital, enjoying an enviable coastal position that could be exploited for the benefit of the tourist industry and local residents alike, according to the mayor of Arrecife, Candido Reguera. The 82,000 square metre plot has a reputed value of 305 million euros due to its classification as urban land.

Currently the Islote it is the site of abandoned warehouses and a parking lot, but its owner, Jaime Cortezo hopes that a prestigious internationally renowned architect, such as Norman Foster (whose Crystal Island in Moscow is pictured) or Santiago Calatrava might be persuaded to create an iconic building for the city of Arrecife.

The Ayuntamiento already has plans to demolish the old warehouses of La Rocar, which were once used by the fishing industry. At present there is no fixed plan on the type of development that would be suitable, apart from the desire to create an edifice that will excite international interest in the city