NOTA CENTRAL |
PANAMÁ |
||||
|
open arms – the winds of change and the arrival of progress. The zenith of the 19th century marked the beginning of the modernization of Panama City; the streets of what is now Casco Antiguo witnessed the construction of new architectural works and improvements in infrastructure. The imminent construction of an interoceanic canal by a French enterprise presaged new business opportunities in the thriving market of accommodations.
John and Henry Schuber – two American brothers living on the isthmus – were already the owners of a hospitality business, the Schuber & Brother’ s Billiard Saloon which, by 1855 moral standards, was located in scandalous proximity to the Cathedral’ s façade. By 1870 the brothers would suffer the first of many loses: A fire, the threat most feared in the old city, burned the saloon
|
to the ground. In spite of it all, they saw a great opportunity in their circumstances and decided to build a luxury hotel on the opposite side of the Plaza. Once the ambitious work was completed, they named it the Grand Central Hotel.
1878 Mar / 6 / 9:30 a. m. // Ash Wednesday An explosion at the F. C. Herbruger & Co. Drugstore, which occupied the Grand Central Hotel’ s ground floor, ignites a fire that burns the entire hotel and quickly spreads to the surrounding buildings. The Cathedral’ s bells ring the alarm but it is early morning and the end of carnavales; the neighbors are slow in waking up. The fire spreads east and south of the city and is finally extinguished at 2:30 p. m. The Grand Central Hotel lies ash and ruins. Of its original structure only the masonry walls remain.
|
1883-1884
Henry y John persevere and, on July 4th they set out to reconstruct their hotel. A year to the date, they inaugurate a fully restored hotel that instantly becomes the talk of the town: They imported exquisite furnishings, silverware, and the finest crystal ware. And to top it off, they place a majestic wooden staircase on the inner courtyard, which they name The Palm Garden. The architect is Emil Dreyfus who, inspired by the stylings of late 19th century Europe, recreates in the hotel the air of modernism that was all the rage in the old continent.
They order the construction of a mansard roof complete with attics – an unusual architectural choice in a tropical climate – and individual balconies. The Grand Central Hotel was, in fact, Panama City’ s tallest building. Higher officials of the French Canal Company lodged at the new hotel – most notably its president, Count Ferdinand de Lesseps – who, on his second visit to the Isthmus, was received with and arch of triumph at Plaza Catedral – and distinguished guests from around the world who discovered in Panama an exotic and comfortable destination.
NEW CENTURIES
Even during its period of decadence, which lasted well into the 21st century, the enigmatic façade of the former hotel still exerted a strange fascination of neighbors and visitors. Regardless of neglect, major feature films were filmed in the old building, such as The Tailor of Panama( 2001), whose local premiere embarrassed no
|
small number of Panamanians who saw the state of abandonment of one of the historic center’ s most emblematic works of architecture magnified on the big screen.
2016
Central Hotel Panamá makes a comeback after an extensive restoration that took well over eight years, giving new life to Plaza Catedral. With one hundred and thirty five rooms and five customized suites, the décor evokes the nostalgia of its past and celebrates the warmth of Isthmian hospitality. Today as in the days of old, the view from the balconies is superb and, from The Attic – the intimate tapas bar on the top floor – a glimpse of the past, Casco Antiguo, and the new city of glass and skyscrapers. The hotel’ s restaurants – la Quinta and 9 Reinas – provide luxurious dining experiences. At Agua Clara, the hotel’ s spa, travelers and guests find a soothing environment in which to enjoy and relax.
Perhaps the best of Central Hotel Panamá’ s attributes are the stories in which it features, sometimes as protagonist and others as witness. They way in which it is remembered by generations of Panamanians and travelers takes many identities: A source of inspiration, a meeting point, referent, as a location; as backdrop of transits and long-term stays. And finally, as a monument to Panama’ s entrepreneurial spirit.
Cascoantiguo _ news
Casco Antiguo News
|
||
12 |