Construction began in 1997 and was completed in 2003. The auditorium was inaugurated on 26 September of that year in the presence of Felipe, Prince of Asturias, and was later visited by former U.S. President Bill Clinton. The building is framed within the tenets of late-modern architecture of the late 20th century.

The majestic profile of the auditorium has become an architectural symbol of the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the island of Tenerife and the Canary Islands.

It is also regarded as the finest contemporary building in the Canary Islands and one of the most emblematic buildings of Spanish architecture. In March 2008, it was included by the post office in a set of six stamps (Correos) depicting the most emblematic works of Spanish architecture.

In 2011, the image of the Tenerife Auditorium was included in a series of commemorative coins of 5 euros, which displayed the most emblematic symbols of several Spanish cities. It is one of the major attractions of Tenerife and home to the Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife (Tenerife Symphony Orchestra).

History
As early as 1970, there was agreement that the creation of an auditorium for the islands should proceed. The location in the El Ramonal was approved in 1977. In 1978 design proposals were solicited for consideration. The project agreed to appoint the architect Antonio Fernández Alba. Later, in 1985, the location of the auditorium was moved to El Chapatal.

In 1987, the final design of Antonio Fernández Alba, with collaboration of Vicente Saavedra and Javier Díaz Llanos was unveiled. However, soon after there was a conceptual shift about the type of building and the government abandoned the project.

In 1989, the government entered into discussions with the architect Santiago Calatrava Valls, who became the project architect. In 1991, Calatrava publicly presented his design. At that time, the building was to be located at the end of Avenida Tres de Mayo.

In 1992 the government created the Commission for Supervision and Control for the construction of the auditorium. In 1996, the Commission changed to a seaside location, the Castle of St John the Baptist.

Groundbreaking and construction finally began in 1997, twenty years after the initial approval. In 1997, they started the earthmoving at the final location. During 2001, the 17 larger metal panels which form the jacket were installed.

In 2002, the concrete and the white exterior trencadís plaster work were completed. The complicated construction required specialized tools. Much of the surface is covered with white trencadís, with colorful trencadís as decorative elements in the retaining walls of the plaza the building stands on.

The original construction budget was 30 million Euros, but 33 years later, the total spend amounted to 72 million Euros.