Panama Casco Viejo Blog

Casco Viejo Events: From opera to photography shows

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:38:26 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Casco Viejo, San Felipe

August seems to start with great enthusiasm. It is the National Theatre´s 100 year anniversary, plus other events are at hand. Here is the latest on cultural events in the Casco:

August 7^th with a concert to commemorate the Artist´s Day.

August 8th: Ttu Concert. German jazz band playing along with panamanian bands. Tickets at ExedraBooks. $25, $20 and $15

August 28^th, the soprano Nicole Puga will sing in a gala from the Fundación Bel Canto.

October 1st: The National Orchestra performance

October 6th to the 8th: National Ballet will perform Bayadere.

October 14th and 16th: Madame Butterfly

October 17th : Ricardo Miro awards for poetry

October 31st: Roberto Lewis awards por plastic arts

Art Shows:

Until 25th of August: Central American Photo Bienale at Plaza Francia, inside one of INAC´s Bovedas.

Art Auction, August 12th: Fundacion San Felipe will hold it´s annual art auction at the Marriott Hotel. A good opportunity to get nice art and help their programs. You can get the tickets through Quintessentially: qpanama@quintessentially.com

Until 15th August: Photos and paintings of artist Ramon Almanza at Casa Gongora.

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama Culture, History: Casco Antiguo´s 100 Years Old National Theatre

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:21:57 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe

Back in my university days, I did a paper on Panama ’s National Theatre. Although looking back it was pretty much incomplete, naïve and badly written, I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed researching for it. For me, the National Theatre is like a second home, a place that saw me grow up while dancing. It’s history has always been from glory to disaster, and then to glory again.

One of the things that made me smile was the first “Gaceta Oficial” ( the newspaper where the government publishes the laws when they are approved) where they mentioned the need to build a theatre. I remember the document said something along these lines: “And we will dedicate the sum of (I think it was) a million dollars to build: the presidential house, a university, public bathrooms, a theatre”. I guess you tend to forget that everything, even big things like countries had a starting point, and for Panama as a Republic it was only in 1903.

Another curiosity was the Theatre´s “code of conduct”. I remember it mentioned that ladies with feather hats should remove them, and gentlemen with tall hats. Also, you were not allowed to make noise with your walking stick (baston). The main balconies where assigned to the Fire Department, the central one to the President, and there was another one for the Major. The original theatre was made mostly out of wood (of course, no air conditioning) and when the car came into fashion it was necessary to change it because of the noise outside.

The Republic of Panama was literally being born, and the National Theatre was it´s social and cultural heart.

A beautiful article came out the other day at Ellas from La Prensa , celebrating the National Theatre´s 100 years. Written by Vannie Arrocha Morán, please search it out: www.prensa.com

The original building where the theatre was later on built was actually a monastery for nuns. They had a small theatre called Sarah Bernahrdt, as it is said that the artist was once brought to perform there during the time of the French Canal . But the “Teatro Nacional” as we call it in Spanish, was built over the monastery and inaugurated in 1908 during the presidency of José Domingo de Obaldía. Its debut was grandiose, with the opera Aida presented by the Italian company Mario Lambardi.

The building was designed by Giussepe Ruggieri, one of the most prolific architects in Panama at the time. Roberto Lewis painted the ceiling frescoes, and Enrico Corrado did the chalk sculpture. It was the time for optimism, so the Theatre had a lot of work showing all the well known operas from Carmen to La Traviatta.

Reaching the 30´s the theatre experiences its first fall. It hit bottom, as at some point it even got to be used as a movie theatre. Special note here: the National Theatre was the crème of the crème of San Felipe. However, Santa Ana had also its own jewel in Teatro Variedades. This Theatre in theory was aimed to the popular sectors which couldn’t pay the National Theatres´s fees. However, at least for the first period of splendor, the same opera or ballet company that would perform at the National Theatre one night would go to the Variedades the next night for a cheaper price. The story of both theatres sort of go hand by hand in this first period. When the National Theatre decays, Variedades bites the dust too. And if the National Theatre got to be a movie theatre, well… Variedades became a boxing ring and a movie theatre. When they where showing movies, the evening started with a ruffle between the public, the news, a comedy act, cartoons and then the movie. You could spend the entire evening there, and maybe even take a prize back home.

Back to the National Theatre, it got its first intervention in 1941 by the architect Guillermo de Roux. However, in the 70´s it fell again. The 70´s was a difficult time as it marked the beginning of the military regime. The Theatre got used for all sorts of things, including the school proms. In 1974 the architect René Brenes is hired to work on the theatre again. But by 1999 it was a disaster. I remember betting with my dancer friends when the chandelier was going to finally fall on top of everyone.

Well, the chandelier never got to fall, but the ceiling painting from Roberto Lewis. So in the year 2004 the Theatre went into a full rehab. For those who worked on this project they have said that the original proposal included much more stuff. However, from the stand point of a user at the backstage, it was a lot of work and the theatre really took back its dignity. Personally, I would have loved to see the original side gardens recovered and the café opened towards it creating a “café de la opera” (which is now parking) but well, maybe we had to leave something for next time.

A 100 years old! Celebrations are at hand, starting August 7^th with a concert to commemorate the Artist´s Day. In August 28^th, the soprano Nicole Puga will sing in a gala from the Fundación Bel Canto. The National Orchestra will perform on the 1^st of October and the National Ballet will present Bayadere from the 6^th to the 8^th of October.

Madame Butterfly will perform on the 14^th and 16^th of October. And two award ceremonies will be held at the ends of October: the Ricardo Miro (for poetry) on the 17^th and the Roberto Lewis on the 31^st.

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Panama Art: Collectors attention... Fundacion San Felipe´s annual Art Auction in August

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:20:43 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Casco Viejo, San Felipe

We received a flash note from Quintessentially announcing their next "Silent Auction" of Fundacion San Felipe. This year, the 17th one, it will be held at the Marriott hotel, and all proceeds will go to their various programs ranging from art to photography for kids. This is usually a good place to get mostly Latinamerican Art.

There isn´t much in the internet about the Foundation, however, they´ve been in the area for quite a while, working with children and taking care of the restoration of the San Felipe Neri church, which was their flag project, and now serves as headquarters for most of their programs.

The auction will be August 12th, and you can get the tickets through Quintessentially: qpanama@quintessentially.com

Here is a picture of photographer Francisco Bech and his class. Francisco has been collaborating every summer with the Foundation for the last 3 years providing a photograph course for free to children in the area.

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:11:48 GMT

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myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:11:08 GMT

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Panama News: City of Knowledge 10th Anniversary

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:47:12 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe

It is 15 minutes away from Casco Antiguo, into the ex- Canal Zone. Ciudad del Saber or City of Knowledge is literally a city within one of the former US military bases called Clayton. One of the most visionary compounds in Panama, it has become a technopark that holds universities, laboratories, incubators for young entrepreneurs and just all sorts of new stuff. If it is revolutionary, ground breaking, you can get in and benefit from a wide platform of incentives.

So who is there? for example, INDICASAT. Back when I used to work with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, I learned about the close collaboration between STRI and INDICASAT. This is the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas de Alta Tecnología which carries research at a molecular basis on tropical plants to identify possible medicines against a number of diseases such as cancer and many others. There is also the Legal Medicine Institute with its DNA labs and the Agriculture Research Institute which is building its own labs on agricultural biotechnology. By the way the Centro Nacional de Metrología has even an atomic clock to warranty everyone is on time... well, I guess they also do other more important things than checking out who is late to work.

It also has something called the Acelerador de Empresas de Panama which has a project called Angel Investors for those who like betting to cutting edge projects from young entrepreneurs. It also just inaugurated the Panama International Hotel School, which is believe it or not, the first hotel school in Panama. this school is operating under the Holiday Inn brand and was built in response to the fast demand of professionals in the field.

United Nations has its regional center in City of Knowledge. From there, a compound of their own programs such as the Food Programs and many others are hosting headquarters for Latinamerica and Central America. But City of knowledge also hosts CATHALAC, one of those oscure organisms no one knows about, but that they do an incredibly important job: it is dedicated to the distribution of knowledge about production, distribution and management of our hidric resources, alias what to do and take care of water. Everyone thinking gas/ petroleum is our future´s main problem... think again.

In general, the Technopark has about 63 affiliate companies. The City of Knowledge and its group of unusual tenants have already made investments close to $50 million dollars in infrastructure and services. It is all about generation and sharing of knowledge. For them, the future is today´s challenge.

Learn more about their projects and what they offer: www.cdspanama.org

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama News: The Director of Casco Antiguo gets interview at La Prensa

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:28:35 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo
Casco Viejo, San Felipe

This sunday, La Prensa ran a full page interview with Ariel Espino, the Director of the Oficina del Casco Antiguo called usually OCA. Here is the full article in Spanish and a brief summary in English.

Casco Antiguo has gone through an intense revitalization process. "In 10 years, you won´t be able to recognize it." says Ariel Espino.

Next year is Panama´s election year. Most officials are presenting their reports and even more of them have started early their political campaigns. But the Office of Casco Antiguo has kept working and is looking to gain autonomy that will enable them to continue with long term policies and not be tied up to the political changes. They are presenting a law that would create them as a Patronato, which would be a permanent figure, and would grant more freedom of action and sustainability.

The Oficina del Casco Antiguo has been quite busy. From cultural events to the urban planning of the Casco there are very few aspects where they aren´t present. It´s Director is a dinamyc architect with a passion for historic cities, which makes it perfect. In this interview, he speaks about the train project , the advances against speculation, the controversial projects at Hotel Central and the old Club Union. The Oficina del Casco Antiguo supports all tourism ventures in the Casco, specially hotels. Hotel Central got into trouble recently because they demolished protected structure. However, according to Espino, some of it was taken apart to be brought in again with the restoration. On the Club Union project he mentions that they already have plans at Patrimonio Historico pending for approvals. They are also waiting for the archeological study and environmental impact study.

He summarizes his balance after 4 years of working in the OCA by saying that the Casco has finally gained a momentum where about 20 or 30 projects are being built per year. He is glad this has been achieved and with the only 800 properties in the entire protected area this should be enough to transform the Casco radically in about 10 years. It won´t be "finished" but very different from what you can see today.

Panamá, domingo 20 de julio de 2008

www.prensa.com

ENTREVISTA

Espino: ‘En 10 años más el Casco estará irreconocible’

El director de la Oficina del Casco Antiguo advierte que todavía hay que trabajar en controlar la especulación.

En agosto se recibirá la última consultoría para el tranvía, que ayudará a definir el modelo de gestión.

LA PRENSA/ Gabriel Rodríguez

Recuperación. Ariel Espino asegura que los trabajos del Hotel Central son similares a los de la mayoría de los edificios del Casco. 1061742

Zoraida Chong
zchong@prensa.com

Con los cambios de gobierno, cada cinco años, históricamente ha habido también cambios de administración en la mayoría de las oficinas públicas, de manera que muchos de los proyectos de las diferentes entidades estatales quedan en suspenso o en abandono.

En el caso de la Oficina del Casco Antiguo (OCA), el año pasado se planteó la necesidad de darle mayor autonomía, para garantizar así la continuidad del plan maestro del barrio más antiguo de Panamá.

Aunque esto no se ha conseguido todavía, Ariel Espino, director ejecutivo de la OCA, explica que ya se tiene un borrador de anteproyecto de ley, que está en estudio en el Ministerio de Vivienda, y que debería entrar a discusión en la Asamblea Nacional en el próximo periodo de sesiones -en septiembre de este año-.

Pero mientras esto se decide, Espino ya puede hacer un balance de los cuatro años que lleva a cargo de la OCA y de los principales proyectos que se encuentran sobre la mesa.

¿Cómo va el proyecto de instalar un tranvía en el Casco Antiguo?

Hemos hecho tres consultorías, la tercera está por entregarse en agosto y esa es la última. Esta consultoría va a producir unos pliegos de licitación para la concesión del proyecto.

Lo que este consultor está preparando es un estimado de costos, rentabilidad, número estimado de usuarios, rutas, tecnología.

Eso no quiere decir que inmediatamente lo vamos a sacar a licitación, porque todavía tenemos que ver cuánto cuesta y qué rentabilidad tiene, pero este último trabajo nos va a decir mejor cómo lo podemos gestionar.

¿Tiene alguna idea de cuándo podría empezar a operar?

Está en una etapa final de estudio. No me atrevería a dar fechas, pero cuando el proyecto ya está formulado, es mucho más fácil gestionarlo, ya sea con fondos disponibles o amarrarlo con otros proyectos de transporte público.

Ya se ven más propiedades en recuperación en el Casco, ¿significa esto que se ha avanzado en el control de la especulación?

Se ha avanzado... Era un problema grave en 2004 cuando empezamos en esta administración, porque aunque había una ley contra el abandono de edificios desde 1997, no se había aplicado ninguna multa. Ahora hay más de 60 procesos y algunos ya se han cobrado.

¿Y las propiedades condenadas?

La Dirección de Patrimonio Histórico [del Instituto Nacional de Cultura] está constantemente mandando cartas a los propietarios de los edificios que están en muy mal estado. Nosotros cooperamos con muchos procesos de desalojo, en especial cuando hay un proyecto de por medio.

¿Qué opinión tienen ustedes de los trabajos que se están haciendo en el Hotel Central?

El Hotel Central ha sido una preocupación de esta administración desde el inicio, porque fue el último gran hotel de la ciudad, está en una posición prominente y aquí hay una urgencia enorme de tener hoteles. Siempre ha habido pensiones y hoteles de mochileros, pero necesitamos ya la inversión de lujo.

Parte de la posibilidad de generar una economía turística en el Casco es tener a los turistas aquí, porque a veces el que viene en un tour no es el que más gasta .

Aun así, a los vecinos les preocupa que cada vez queda menos de esa estructura.

Las controversias han sido más por la modalidad de restauración o rehabilitación que se ha usado. Algunas personas hubieran preferido que se conservara más, pero mucho está conservado y guardado para reinstalarse en su momento.

Ahí se ha insistido mucho en que la fachada tiene que recuperarse. El primer patio es importantísimo -donde estaba la escalera- y se conserva parte de la escalera, pero mucho estaba muy deteriorado.

Son discusiones válidas que se dan con frecuencia, pero desde la perspectiva del futuro del Casco, la recuperación de ese edificio como un hotel será una pieza fundamental en el desarrollo del área.

El que no parece tener muchos avances es el proyecto en el antiguo Club Unión.

Para el Club Unión se aprobó un anteproyecto y la Dirección de Patrimonio Histórico está esperando los planos finales. Tengo entendido que no han llegado hasta el momento, pero sé que han estado adelantando [el propietario] con el estudio de impacto ambiental y con algo de arqueología. Y sí, son los dos proyectos hoteleros grandes en los que estamos interesados.

Tras cuatro años de gestión, ¿cuál es su balance y cuáles las tareas pendientes?

El Casco tiene más de 800 propiedades, la mayor parte en manos privadas. Significa que para restaurarlo se necesitan 800 proyectos, y no hay un barrio en Panamá que necesite de tantas construcciones.

Lo que necesitas es ver un centro histórico con 20 ó 30 proyectos iniciándose por año, lo que te da un ritmo lo suficientemente sostenido como para ver cambios dramáticos en 10 ó 15 años. Eso lo hemos conseguido y esperamos que no caiga. Pero estamos en un momento de auge inmobiliario, el Casco se ha beneficiado de eso y creo que a este ritmo, en 10 años más el Casco va a estar irreconocible. No estará terminado, pero sí muy distinto a lo que vemos hoy.

PERFIL

ESPINO: Es arquitecto por la Universidad Católica Santa María la Antigua, tiene una maestría en planeamiento urbano de la University of Arizona y un Ph.D. en antropología de la Rice University. A mediados de la década de 1990 fue subdirector de Patrimonio Histórico del Instituto Nacional de Cultura, y entre 1997 y 2002 trabajó en la firma Knudson, en Estados Unidos, una empresa de arquitectura especializada en planificación y paisajismo. Es miembro del American Institute of Ciertified Planners y, actualmente, director ejecutivo de la Oficina del Casco Antiguo.

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama News: Marriott International Inc. will introduce Renaissance hotels in Panama

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 00:14:33 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe

From Today´s La Prensa:

Panama will have a Renaissance Hotel (by Marriott) by 2011. This announcement was made by Edward Fuller, president and executive director for Marriott International in the region, who mentioned this would be an investment of about 40 million dollars. "Panama´s economics are strong and the hotel industry is in constant growth". Renaissance Panama Hotel is expected to have 300 rooms and will be part of a mixed project which will include both residential and commercial real estate. The current Marriott hotel seems to be quite busy itself, as according to Fuller it is currently under expansion. An investment of another $10 million dollars resulting in a total of 376 rooms.

Finally, they are planning two more projects in Panama City: with Hotel Courtyard by Marriott Panama (will expand to 248 rooms) and the opening of another hotel near the commercial shopping mall Los Pueblos.

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama Historic Real Estate: Renting Commercial and Residential

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:09:59 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe

Looking to open a business in Casco Viejo? Or maybe to rent an apartment? There is always limited product, but from time to time things will come to market (and get rented right away).

Here is the short list of what you may find out there on both residential and commercial.

RESIDENTIAL LONG TERM:

1. Calle del Palacio: $1,800

One Bedroom., Water Views.

Located on the corner of the top floor of Calle del Palacios, one of the early buildings to be renovated in the early 1990’s, this condo has views of the Bay of Panama and monument in Plaza Francia. The bedroom is on the mezzanine. Nice cross ventilation. Sibaritas, Caffé per Due and S’Cena, one of the very popular restaurants in Casco Antiguo are steps away. Easy parking in front of the Las Bovedas.

Other options... is budget more important than views? email us now!

COMMERCIAL:

Montefiori Retail Space: $2,800

Area: 175 mt2, High Traffic Corner Location

The corner location captures the eye of traffic coming into the Casco through 9th street or moving along Central Avenue . The many doors provide with fantastic visibility, the different levels with space to showroom and to build an office. The local is rented without finishes, so tenants can input their own concept without restrictions.

Montefiori Restaurant Space: $3,500

Area: 147mt2 Plaza Front

Commercial space for rent has been one of the hardest to find in Casco. All the current spaces are already rented in front of plazas and businesses have been very successful.

The open patio is for the exclusive use of Locale 2. There is a mezzanine with windows looking out on Plaza Herrera. Located on Calle 9 , Montefiori spans from Avenida Central to Plaza Herrera. As the first project to be restored in this area, nine more projects will soon become the future homes to residents with more to follow. The area already has a youth hostal with capacity for 60 guests. La Casona , right across the street is a magnet for Panama ’s young bohemian crowd hosting frequent art shows and other special events.

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama Historic Real Estate: A passion for Real Estate with Content

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:28:58 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe

Have you seen those TV shows where they take a one level house and turn it into a mansion or where they promise you to look at least ten years younger by changing your makeup, style or even surgery? I have seen some incredible human makeovers in a show that is all about plastic surgery.

Well, how about a 100 years younger? Restorations at Casco Viejo have the same incredible effects. As a real estate broker focused only in Casco Antiguo, I have dealt with both unrestored and restored properties. For me, restored apartments are the best investment purchase, but my passion lies on dealing with professional developers who are looking to restore a jewel. I love unrestored buildings. They are usually a mess, but the beauty is there, just hidden behind layers and layers of stuff.

One of the biggest challenges, however, to present an unrestored building is to convey the vision of what it was and what it can become. Today, I can present you with a beautiful example. I just happen to have pictures from way back... historic pictures from the colonial times, when the plaza that has the building now called Montefiori was a bull ring. Then you´ll see pictures taken about three years ago, when we sold the building to the developer. And today, Montefiori is fully restored, the amazing work of polishing the jewel is over.

When I showed this property, over and over again as it usually happens, it was so hard for people to see the boulevard of commercial spaces. Furthemore, we didn´t know it had an original water well made of stone in the middle of the property, next to the inner garden, which makes a lot of sense as in colonial times this was the common way to get water for the house. Otherwise you had to carry it all the way from the river in Santa Ana, a river named Chorrillo.

So there you go, a piece of Panama´s history has been recovered. Now, the building is renting apartments and commercial spaces. You can still own one apartment at Montefiori, if you are interested, let us know.

Now... enjoy the pictures!

Montefiori is the corner building next to the "H" shaped building. The "H" building is already under restoration. The project is called La Merced.

Montefiori towards the Plaza before the restoration:

And now.... with our magic wand... cha chaaaannnnnn.... Casco Viejo Extreme MakeOver!

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama Events: Viva La France Celebration at Las Bovedas, Casco Viejo

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:33:01 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, Plaza Francia

Yesterday, with noisy and entretaining fireworks and a very nice party the French Embassy celebrated their Bastille Day at Plaza de Francia in Casco Viejo, also known as Las Bovedas. Since I know very little about French history, I checked out Wikipedia and found this:

"Quatorze Juillet" (Fourteenth of July in French) is Bastille Day, the French national holiday celebrating the Fête de la Fédération in 1790 during the French Revolution.

I know I should learn more about history, but I think in a way it was difficult to know exactly what the revolution was about or what exactly was being celebrated as the first stand in the party I got to was the L´Oreal stand with a makeup artist working his magic on a lady. The municipal band was playing sort of marches, maybe that was it. But maybe what they were celebrating, more than anything else, was the French spirit itself when they claimed Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.

I thought giving you some pictures from last night celebrations, as well as a historic picture back in the days when Plaza Francia was only "Las Bovedas", the place where the Spanish government kept the jails. It is also the place where they would perform most official acts like executions, even later on when we became part of Colombia, we had one of our martirs called Victoriano Lorenzo shot in that very plaza. Plaza Francia has seen a lot. And I´m sure part of what inspired the "founding fathers" of our country to separate from Colombia back then form the republic was pretty much based on the spirit of the French Revolution.

So... Viva La France!

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama Business: 5 Lessons from Real Estate in Europe to Casco Viejo

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:36:28 GMT

Panama, Casco Antiguo

Casco Viejo, San Felipe

5 Lessons From Real Estate in Europe

Ah! La Bella Roma ! From the cradle of Western civilization to a huge melting pot, for those who have visited or lived in Rome it blows your mind away and steals a piece of your heart. But if you actually want to own a piece of Rome , you’d better be prepared to give also your kidney away (the good one), an eye and seriously consider adding up one of your lungs to sweeten the deal. Wao. The incredible thing isn’t that prices are astronomically high; it is that at over $20,000 US dollars per mt2 or $2,000 per ft2 people are still buying.

Of course, it took over 2000 years for it to appreciate to that level, so salivating speculators in Casco Viejo , Panama , need not apply. But still, if you compound it all, what may seem crazy in today’s world is not buying a historic apartment in an urban center. What I learned from my recent trip was that human place value where life is most enjoyable.

1. Human Scale:

Never underestimate the power of a city that makes a person feel like one; where you are an important element of a beautiful city, not an afterthought behind your car.

Where you can walk both to get your groceries and to have fun. Where having a car is almost a nuisance. Anyways, in today’s world of raising oil prices and global warming having a car and using it on a daily is almost prohibitive. Rome was bursting with people walking around or riding bikes. Every historic city I’ve ever been to is a heavily pedestrian/ bike site. Creative solutions have been thought to fit them into the space and be more efficient, but not all the way around. As size does matter, Rome is the land of the Smart Car, the “Cinquecento” (or Topolino as Italians call it), and the mini everything from public transportation to the garbage truck which can be operated with only one person.

In yesterday’s world, it was just common sense. People clustered together because it was efficient. In today’s world where time and resources are money, it is a matter of survival.

2. Mix = Authenticity = Excitement =Vibrancy = Value

This package moves around together. There is no way to get one without the others.

Rome is still in many ways the center of the world. It is chaotic, irreverent, eclectic and fun. A thousand voices speaking different languages, gothic kids in the sideways giving away flyers for a concert, businessmen in their Italian suits and Ferragamo shoes elbow to elbow with tourists and residents who are having a cappuccino at one of the many sidewalk cafés or gelatterias. Laundry on the balconies, rainbow flags on the windows.

To my surprise, most buildings looked like they haven’t been painted in ages, and the ones that were didn’t have latex but lime based paint. Nothing in Rome is or feels manicured. It looks and feels like an unexplored city with mysteries to be solved at every corner. No matter if it is by far the most visited city in Italy and probably Europe . People will visit and return countless times to learn more, to explore another corner, to see what has changed.

Stores cater to a wide mix of clients. There is something for everybody. High end along with cutting edge and artsy stuff. As a result, it never gets boring. At night, the fun still goes on. College students meeting in the plazas, romantic couples strolling. In the States, most people would meet at the bar to have a drink. In Italy they meet at the Gelateria to grab an icecream, wine or a café. No one really worries, as you can always walk back home.

3. It is where you live, and it shows.

Flipping through most real estate and lifestyle magazines they tend to show minimalist spaces with slick designs that make you wonder… where is the stuff? People live with a lot of stuff. Very few will have antiseptic lives where your night bed table features only a thin design lamp and nothing else. Mine has piles of stuff, books, change, my ipod, CD´s, among many other things. Someone walking into my bedroom can clearly say like the Goldilocks story: someone lives here. Cities are made of people. They must be a logic reflection.

So, if you ever step into a city that is so clean you can eat on the floor of the main plaza, every building is covered in a latex paint that reflects both the sun and your face, plus smells like plastic, gardens are unnaturally trimmed, there are no dogs or cats to be found, loud music shuts down at 9 p.m. and everybody looks just like you… wake up!

Every year, Disney spends a lot of money to make you believe it is possible to have such a place and that you would be actually happy there. Truth is, for those cities that have attempted and somehow succeeded in making it happen, they are worldwide known as a) tourist traps or b) the most boring places on Earth.

On the long run… which option holds more value? Probably the option where humans can get excited about new things and enjoy the multiple flavors coming his way. Because of the mix which brings the vibrancy, cities like Rome can look and be old, but keep hearts that are forever young and therefore relevant. And as humans, we instinctively value this.

4. Green bucks chase Green cities

There is something very human about wanting to live where we can touch, see, smell, enjoy, nature. Parks, gardens and pets have been the usual ways to incorporate this factor into urban settings and keep us connected. There are volumes written about the benefits of green spaces within cities. While some developers might see it as lost space, urbanists, majors and more importantly residents, know there is no valuable city without them.

Historic cities are special because they where built around green spaces making them the daily meeting point. And limited space hasn’t been an obstacle for imagination and creativity: roof terraces, walls and balconies have filled in with fantastic combinations of plants.

On historic cities there is a myth that everything has to be regulated in order to keep it truthful to what it was. Façades are carefully restored and not much visual objects are allowed. Rome , the ultimate European historic city, proves quite the contrary.

There, balconies explode with plants, roof terraces have huge trees growing on them and many façades are covered if not completely at least partially with plants and vines. A refreshing twist: most of these gardens, even the ones on the plazas are edible gardens. Urban agriculture is huge, as the cost of food has increased tremendously. Every corner with some soil and sun is used to plant herbs and vegetables, a healthy and cheaper choice for today’s world.

5. One of a kind.

Rome is unique. There is no other like it and no one is building another brand new Rome . If they were, it would obviously be a fake. Maybe Disney at some point will open a Rome pavilion with centurions dressed in costumes. I’m sure the Italian filmmaking company CineCittá has many of its buildings carved in foam. But at least on both examples the idea is to honestly create a fantasy. For those developers who have tried to replicate the style it has gone dead wrong and has ended up looking, feeling, smelling and therefore being really tacky.

Historic cities can’t be replicated. And for those who hold the advantage of being near thriving cosmopolitan cities with a mix population, the combination for value is perfect. Scarcity and uniqueness are the two key elements of value. On the long run, historic cities tend to appreciate more than modern ones and to hold value better. It is the difference between buying a Picasso or buying a full color poster of a Picasso painting.

Summarizing all this to what brings us here: Casco Viejo , Panama .

You can probably recognize several of these elements in our beloved Casco Viejo. As an investment, it is still on an early cycle compared to any of its peers (including Cartagena , which is the closest one). To give you an idea, the best stuff in Cartagena is between $5,000 to $6,000 per mt2, almost double the price of Panama . The best properties in Italy ( Rome ) are over the $20,000 per mt2. The worst apartments at the Italian rural south (literally in the middle of nowhere and probably unrestored) are around $3,000 per mt2 which is the price for the best apartments in Casco Viejo, Panama, with views, amenities, parking, sometimes even with pool and elevator, a UNESCO protected site 5 minutes away from a cosmopolitan urban center and 30 minutes away from an international airport considered one of the biggest hubs in the region, not to mention 10 minutes away from the domestic airport in case you want to spend a weekend at the San Blas white sanded beaches learning from the Kuna indians or if you feel like stretching your legs hiking the Baru Volcano at Chiriqui. All these flights are less than an hour.

Again, for pure investors with a taste for instant flipping, here is a disclosure clause: appreciation is an organic process that takes time. You want to maximize your profits? You need to get involved, inject energy into the neighborhood and promote actively content that would add texture. Come on! It is actually fun. No time for it? Consider donating. From the Scouts to all the social programs of Fundacion Calicanto, from the music festivals to opening your commercial space or your building to young artists in need of space, there are tons of things you can do to increase the value on the neighborhood and therefore your property that doesn’t require much.

If not for altruism, then just because it is good business.

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.

Panama Travel: Where to Stay in Casco Viejo, Panama

myemail@myemail.com (Your DisplayName here!) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:57:53 GMT

Panama, Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo, San Felipe

From time to time, I like refreshing some information that has been useful to my readers as where to stay and what to do in Casco Viejo is constantly changing:

Casco Viejo is a wonderful place to stay… but we don´t have hotels yet! so where and how might be tricky but not impossible. It only takes planning ahead.

So here is the short list!

1. Stay at a private apartment:

You can rent private apartments in different locations in Casco Viejo. All of them are great, nicely furnished, well located. Most include breakfast service. For high season, most of them are over $150 + tax per night.

How to book:

Email Arco Properties at info@arcoproperties.com Or visit the page at www.arcoproperties.com The apartment called “Café de Asis” faces one of the cutest plazas: Plaza Bolivar. Is a 2 bedroom, with 2 queen size bed. Phone: (507) 211-2548. Write: igrenald@arcoproperties.com or patrizia@arcoproperties.com

You can also visit http://www.loscuatrotulipanes.com for more options on apartments.

2. The Backpackers option:

Hostal Casco Antiguo: Backpackers places in general don´t tend to take reservations. However, talk to Richo or the manager at Hostal Casco Antiguo ( http://www.centrodereservas.net/Default.asp?Page=204 ) . Rooms go from $11 to 14. Write at: cascoviejo@centrodereservas.net or call (507) 269-6166

Luna´s Castle Hostel Casco Viejo: the most recent adquisition on the guys who own Mondo Taitu and Heike hostal in Bocas del Toro. They are expanding to Casco and the place is beautiful. Give them a call at: 262-1540. http://wakansadhana.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post.html

3. The higher end option: Canal House Panama

A beautifully restored colonial mansion at the heart of San Felipe. Ideal to rent the entire house, it has 3 suites, most of them with inner offices, all of them with internet. Fully staffed 24/7. Check it out at: www.canalhousepanama.com

This weblog is sponsored by newtelligence AG.