Heritage Buildings Restored in Santiago de Cuba’s Historic Center

Heritage Buildings Restored in Santiago de Cuba's Historic Center
10.06.2014

Santiago de Cuba is about to meet its 500th anniversary, and that's the
reason why architects, engineers and constructors are developing a
comprehensive reconstruction plan in some of the most emblematic
buildings of this old city.

With different levels of complexity, hundreds of specialists and workers
are doing their best to give several buildings back their functionality
and splendor, since they feature different levels of deterioration. This
task involves numerous generations of the people of Santiago.

Tens of workers revolutionize the surrounding area of Céspedes Park,
where the old city of Santiago was built back in 1515. Complex works are
being carried out in this area, such as the old Royal Bank of Canada,
the present branch of the Credit and Commerce Bank BANDEC, or the
impressive Imperial Hotel and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Although these
buildings are different and the work is hard for everybody, these men of
Santiago are proudly working for the 500th anniversary of the city and
taking great pains over the renovation of the constructions that make it
be an architectural treasure.

"You cannot see the city without these buildings. It is our duty to
preserve them so Santiago can stand as the city that many generations
have met, with its exquisite public architecture", Alejandro Soler,
industrial designer, said.

On the other hand, the workers stick to their schedules and express that
the rush must not entail mistakes in such detailed constructions.

"These are very-old heritage buildings, located in the colonial area of
the city. We are not to work here with cranes or that type of gear. Even
the works that require great deal of strength, like moving a 1-ton steel
beam, are carried out with our own hands, it doesn't matter the number
of men it takes, as we are also to take care of adjacent buildings",
Alberto Guilart Pérez, Project Manager with the 11th Engineering Works
Constructing Company, points out.

This is why walking around the historic core is currently kind of
complicated because of the noise, barriers and dust. Undoubtedly, the
sacrifice will be worthy when the people of Santiago can admire the
refurbished beauty of their city.

Source: Heritage Buildings Restored in Santiago de Cuba's Historic
Center | Caribbean News Digital -
http://www.caribbeannewsdigital.com/en/noticia/heritage-buildings-restored-santiago-de-cuba%E2%80%99s-historic-center