A beachfront hotel in Spain that has been lying in ruin for over 50 years has been earmarked for demolition – a project that is expected to cost taxpayers €2.3 million (£2 million).

Hotel Añaza – known locally as the ‘Ghost Hotel’ – has stood as an urban eyesore for over five decades on the coast of Acorán, just south of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 

The 22-storey Y-shaped structure, first constructed in 1973, is one of the most notorious abandoned landmarks in the Canary Islands – not just for its haunting appearance, but for the dark history of five lives lost within its walls.

In response to decades of safety concerns, tragic accidents, and ongoing complaints about its detrimental impact on the coastal landscape, local authorities have finally confirmed that the building will be demolished. 

But with the ruin valued at just €48,000 (£42,000), the demolition will be funded by the public, leaving the nearly 900 listed owners – many of whom are foreign nationals – without any return on their investment.

Built in 1973, the project was intended to be a 741-room hotel. It was abandoned just two years later after it emerged that construction had gone ahead without proper planning permission and on land not zoned for such a large development. 

The developer ran out of money and reportedly fled the island, leaving behind a 22-storey concrete shell that stands on a 25,300-square-foot plot and covers more than 430,500 square feet of floor space. 

Authorities first ordered safety measures in 2016, requiring a 13-foot fence and warning signs to block access. 

Hotel Añaza has stood as an eyesore for over 50 years on the coast of Acorán, just south of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, but it’s now set for demolition between 2026 and 2027 

The 22-storey, Y-shaped structure has claimed five lives over the years, after trespassers fatally parachute-jumped from the roof or fell through exposed gaps 

In 2019, the order was repeated, with added demands for security cameras and multilingual signs.

Despite this, five people have died after entering the building illegally, including a 13-year-old girl in December 2025.

Fatal incidents include parachute jumps from the roof and falls through exposed gaps, while others have filmed daring parkour videos inside the structure. Trespassers now face fines of more than €500 (£437).

A notice published in the Provincial Boletín Oficial (BOP) confirms that forced expropriation has been approved, citing a ‘failure to fulfil the social function of the property’ because the building remains incomplete and lacks the necessary permits. 

A one-month window has been opened for objections or appeals, as reported by the Express.

Demolition is planned for between 2026 and 2027, an operation that is expected to be complex due to the building’s cliffside location and the presence of hazardous materials, including asbestos.

Meanwhile, an explorer who visited Japan’s largest abandoned resort has shared fascinating footage of the decaying complex – including the remnants of what would have been a five-star, 1000-room hotel.

Josh, a YouTube content creator from the United States, regularly delves into some of the world’s spookiest abandoned sites, including The Paris Catacombs and Pripyat, a ‘ghost’ town located in Chernobyl.

Known locally as the ‘Ghost Hotel’, building began in 1973, but was abandoned just two years later after it emerged that construction had gone ahead without proper planning permission

A 13-year-old girl died after entering the building in December 2025

In a recent video uploaded to his channel, the adventurer travelled to Ishikawa, Japan, to take a closer look at Utopia Kaga.

The resort, also known as Kaga No Sato, was a religious-themed amusement park that had opened in 1987, before it was abandoned and torn down in 2005 following the Japanese bubble economy collapse in the early 1990s.

Once a thriving attraction, the 28 billion yen (£141M) resort featured temple halls, roller coasters, a golden pagoda and a 240ft statue of Kaga Daikannon.

But over four decades on, nothing remains of the park’s past glory after being left to the elements due to high demolition costs.