Advertising tilework and other 20th-century urban heritage elements are disappearing from Funchal. Often associated with old commerce and advertising, these elements do not receive the same legal protection or cultural value as historical buildings, resulting in significant losses.
A notable example was the loss of tiles from Avenida do Mar. Many commercial panels have been destroyed or covered during renovations, and exposure to humidity and lack of specialized restoration accelerate the degradation of remaining panels. The former Casa Tavares, transformed into a souvenir bazaar, exemplifies urban decharacterization caused by mass tourism.
Art Deco-influenced tilework, prominent in the 1930s and 1940s, reflects a monumental aesthetic that merged Art Deco with modernism. The iconic panels of the The Ritz building, dating from 1932, depict traditional Madeiran scenes, but their state of conservation is worrying.
However, national law no. 79/2017 prohibits the demolition of tiled facades and the removal of tiles without express authorization, offering some hope for the preservation of this heritage.