Buildings from the Capitalist Era in El Vedado, Havana

Photo Feature by Irina Pino

HAVANA TIMES – Walking through El Vedado, we can see the magnificence of its tall buildings, with groundbreaking designs that transformed Havana into a modern city. Most of these buildings are Art Deco in style and are still in good condition. The quality of the materials, fine workmanship, and maintenance attest to this.

Some of these buildings were converted decades ago for use by state enterprises, while others continue to serve as residences. What is truly remarkable is that many of them were built in the 1950s. Nothing built today has the durability of these marvels.

The Lopez Serrano Building, for example, dates from the 1930s. The driving force behind the project was Antonio Lopez Serrano, a man of humble origins who married advantageously. The architect was Ricardo Mira, who was responsible for creating this architectural gem. Its structure is made of steel, like the buildings of Manhattan, with spaces between apartments for ventilation and natural light. All the windows are made of glass and wood. The floor tiles feature geometric patterns in red and green.

Walking among and admiring these buildings speaks to the skill and training of their architects, who, after the triumph of the Revolution, chose exile as a means of escape.

Living in one of these apartments on the upper floors means enjoying cool breezes, good views of the city, and freedom from bothersome insects. The downside, however, comes when the elevators break down. Replacement parts are difficult to obtain and must be imported, so residents may have to rely on the stairs for long periods. I have never lived in a building like this, but I know friends who have spent months and even years dealing with this inconvenience.

I’m sharing some photographs. I hope you enjoy them.

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”2254″ exclusions=”55063,55065″ display=”horizontal_filmstrip”]

---

See more photo features here on Havana Times.