History
This baroque building was originally built by Antonio Ortiz de Calina and Francisco de Elorriaga between 1663 and 1673, in lands of the Parish Church of Abando, by a price in contract of 82.000 reales.
In 1750 stonecutter José de Recolalde restored the roof, the vaults and the interior of this convent situated next to the old city, in a strategic access route to the commercial zone of Bilbao.
Its appearance is that of an austere baroque due to the economic crisis that influenced the constructions of the 18th century. Therefore, it does not offer neither artistic nor decorative novelties, but instead it shows a marked functionalism of neutral aspect.
Almost ruined it was closed to service since both convent and church school were pulled down. Its future appeared uncertain between the demolition, the private investment or the appropriation by some public organisation, the latter being considered the most suitable one taking into account its artistic monument value and its past. On that ground in 1989 the town council of Bilbao bought it and converted the building into public property.
From April 7th 1997 this remodelled building is the headquarters of the project BilboRock-La Merced.
