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The tallest building in the Mar del Plata skyline turns 55: Which celebrities lived there and how much it costs to live there - Infobae
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Cumple 55 años el edificio más alto del skyline de Mar del Plata: qué famosos lo habitaron y cuánto vale vivir allí
Inaugurado en 1969 y con 125 metros de altura, nadie pudo quitarle el cetro a esta construcción icónica. El dueño de una conocida marca de alfajores fue su promotor. Es uno de los inmuebles más fotografiados y su edificación, a pasos de la playa, demandó un gran desafío
www.infobae.com
August 24, 2024
Opened in 1969 and 125 meters high, no one could take the crown from this iconic construction. The owner of a well-known brand of alfajores was its promoter. It is one of the most photographed buildings and its construction, steps away from the beach, demanded a great challenge.
By Jose Luis Cieri
As it approaches its 55th anniversary, the story of vision, collaboration and perseverance behind the Havanna Building continues to inspire and beautify the Mar del Plata coastline (Photo Courtesy: Sebastián Grande @brickfotografia)
In the heart of Mar del Plata, the Demetrio Elíades building, popularly known as “Havanna”, is preparing to celebrate its 55th anniversary on December 4. Opened in 1969, this iconic skyscraper remains the tallest in the city at 125 meters.
Behind this monumental work is the vision of Demetrio Elíades , who, together with his collaborators, transformed the urban profile of the coastal city. It is located on Avenida Peralta Ramos 2800, next to Las Toscas and La Bristol beaches in La Feliz .
Elíades, born on the island of Crete at the beginning of the 20th century, has a biography full of gaps and uncertainties. Press reviews and the book “Crazy Chronicle: Wonders, Oddities, Curiosities and Mysteries of Argentines” by Víctor Sueiro , highlighted his early friendship with the tycoon Aristotle Onassis .
Both shared a dream of leaving Greece, their native country, as teenagers. They wanted to conquer the world: one in the tobacco business and the other with ties.
Settling in Mar del Plata in the 1930s, Demetrio began selling ties at a street stall and then joined a group of waiters to buy a small bar. His vision led him to invest in various businesses, including a pharmacy and several restaurants, one of which was called Havanna.
The brand's history was consolidated when Eliades decided to reinvest his income in the manufacture of alfajores. The first Havanna kitchen opened in 1948 in front of the Casino Central in Mar del Plata and was quickly a success. Over time, Eliades founded Delco, the construction company responsible for several buildings.
Image of the work in the late 60s, it was a different Mar del Plata (Photo Courtesy: Council of Owners of the Demetrio Elíades Building)
In 1966, construction began on the tallest building in the Mar del Plata skyline , using cutting-edge techniques to ensure its stability just a few metres from the beach.
With 39 floors, all with sea views, the building was named after its developer. Although Elíades did not live to see its completion, his legacy lives on as one of Mar del Plata's architectural icons.
Present
According to statements from the Board of Owners of the Demetrio Elíades Building , “the developer of the building dreamed of an urban profile similar to that of New York, using the coastal views of Mar del Plata.”
When the building was gaining height in the late 60s
However, Elíades' legacy was not limited to this building, as he was also responsible for the construction of other emblematic skyscrapers such as the Palacio Edén (located at Bolívar 2100, and at 88 meters it is the seventh tallest in Mar del Plata).
The conception of these works would not have been possible without the collaboration of the architect Juan Antonio Dompé and the Polish engineer Jan Josef Ruszkowski , who formed a team to build it.
Another postcard when the emblematic building was about to be auctioned off
“From the outset, Elíades had a very clear idea of the project, with very defined concepts: pure prisms in the shape of a tower that stand out from the urban profile, with views of the entire city and, above all, that all units have a balcony and direct views of the sea,” architect Juan Carlos Chiefari (who is currently working with architect Daniel Ferrando in directing the work to enhance the entire building envelope, which has just finished part of the project and is still missing the front facing the sea and Olavarría Street) explained to Infobae.
The building took almost three years and required several construction challenges to be built. Today it remains a prominent part of the "Mar del Plata skyline"
According to the Board of Owners, it has a traditional reinforced concrete structural system, composed of a double-reinforced slab resting on a stone substrate, beams, columns and partitions.
Ferrando commented: “Among the technical innovations implemented, the most notable are the natural anodized aluminum carpentry, used for the first time in traditional construction at that time in the 1960s. At Elíades’ request, additives and concrete setting accelerators were used, which allowed for the unification of the assembly and formwork, the placement of reinforcements and the pouring of concrete on one floor every ten working days.”
Part of those who directed the monumental work in Mar del Plata. The building challenged the urban profile of the construction of the 1960s there (Photo Courtesy: Council of Owners of the Demetrio Elíades Building)
“To this day, it remains the work of modern architecture that represents the postcard of Mar del Plata, not only for its imprint, but also for its constructive development,” said Daniel Ferrando .
Distinguished inhabitants
The Havanna building is also reflected in its community of residents and visitors. Celebrities such as Carlitos Balá , Bruno Gelber and Mónica Gonzaga had units in this skyscraper, adding a touch of glamour to the city's already fascinating postcard.
It is located on Peralta Ramos Avenue at 2800. Each floor is made up of 7 apartments (Photo Courtesy: Ruger Negocios Inmobiliarios and Iván Sosa, @iivan_sosa)
In addition, several celebrities rented apartments there over the years while they were performing in the city's theaters, such as Mónica Farro , Jorge Marrale and Nicolás Vázquez , increasing the building's notoriety.
What are the houses like?
The units within the building vary in size and layout, offering a range of options to its residents. The apartments are distributed over 40 floors, with 7 apartments per floor. Units A and B face Olavarría Street (A are two-room apartments, and B are studio apartments), while units D, E, F, C and G are located on the front of Peralta Ramos Boulevard.
It is so symbolic that there are people who even tattoo the figure of the iconic building that, like few others, refers to Mar del Plata.
The latter are larger, with configurations that include three-room apartments with a service area and two bathrooms.
Regarding maintenance costs, administrator Julián Santillán reported that “the expenses are bi-monthly and vary depending on the type of unit. Unit B, the smallest studio apartment, pays $90,000 per two-month period ($45,000 per month), while the largest units, C and G, pay $235,000 per two-month period.”
Work is currently underway to repair the building's envelope so that it looks like its original state again.
These rates reflect the costs of maintaining the building in optimal conditions, including its amenities, which include a TV room with Internet access, and a second room for social gatherings.
Over the years, it has undergone various restorations to maintain its original state. “The building is in the process of being restored with approximately 50% of its building envelope restored, reflecting its original state,” said Santillán.
From the sea it emerges like a giant as part of the beach line of La Feliz
Offer
The building remains an icon in the Mar del Plata real estate market. It has several units for rent and sale.Prices vary depending on the condition of each unit and its size: they range between USD 70,000 and USD 240,000, for purchase and sale.
While rents for 2-room apartments cost $250,000 and 3-room apartments cost $350,000 per month.
Abel Aboglio , from Aboglio Inmobiliaria, commented that among the options, a property on the 21st floor is for sale. “The apartment was completely renovated with panoramic views from all its rooms, which makes it ideal for a comfortable stay.”
From the balcony of one of the houses for sale today
Materials such as calacata porcelain and American oak furniture were used in the renovation.
“The unit also has a radiator heating system and ceramic-closing taps, always maintaining the elegance that Demetrio Elíades sought for his building: a mix of tradition and modernity,” said Aboglio.
Several of the apartments were renovated (Photo Courtesy: Aboglio Inmobiliaria)
On the other hand, Matías Nicolás Ruger , from Ruger Negocios Inmobiliarios, described in detail the variety of units available in the building.
On the seafront boulevard there are three-room units with a 75 m2 service area, and two-room units, with and without an area, from 45 m2 to 55 m2, all of them with terrace balconies.
With stunning views
Ruger added that “on Olavarría Street there are one- and two-room units, with surfaces of 30 m2 and 40 m2 respectively.”
The apartments have double hermetic glazing
Other renovations include double glazed windows (DHV) and the building offers 24-hour security.
“Some units still retain their original 1969 appearance, with tile and granite floors and paper wall coverings. Other units have been modernized by replacing plumbing, wiring, coverings and flooring,” Ruger concluded.
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