The soon-to-be-completed K-23 Tower Hotel in Havana continues to draw criticism from architects and engineers alike. Maurys Alfonso Risco, a Cuban architect, has voiced strong objections to the building located at the intersection of 23rd and K streets, directly across from the famous Coppelia ice cream parlor. He argues that the structure is nothing more than a massive block that blatantly disregards El Vedado's urban regulations and negatively impacts local residents.
"It's a scar on the landscape of Havana; a building with an outdated design and overly technical yet flawed facades, lacking any charm," Alfonso Risco stated. He highlighted the issue of the intense glare from the tower's glass when hit by direct sunlight, causing visibility problems for drivers who struggle to see traffic lights at certain times of the day.
Cultural Missteps in Architectural Design
According to Alfonso Risco, these issues could have been easily avoided by implementing solar protection measures that have been part of Cuban architecture for decades, such as covered terraces, eaves, galleries, or blinds. In an article featured on the website of the José Antonio Echeverría Higher Polytechnic Institute (CUJAE), he questioned whether the aim is to create national architecture or to import designs to "appease clients and other interests."
"There is ample evidence demonstrating a lack of commitment and the absence of professionals dedicated to Cuban architecture in the creation of a building that was 'cooked up' abroad, featuring one of the poorest facade designs," he emphasized.
Disrupting Havana's Skyline
Another significant issue with the building is its intrusive presence in the city's skyline. "It's taller than the José Martí obelisk, which should never have been allowed, just as it's been prohibited in Washington D.C. for over a century to surpass the Capitol," the expert remarked. He believes that if the tower had been constructed in the lower part of La Rampa, it would have been less disruptive to the urban image.
However, situated on 23rd Avenue, with a curtain wall resembling any roadside motel in the U.S., it reflects a city frozen in time, with a midcentury flair catering to nostalgia tourism. "More towers will undoubtedly come, and we hope they are better and that lessons are learned from this one. (...) Yet it seems we won't learn, or perhaps we don't care. Maybe they prefer exceptions, violations, and impositions 'from above' on the various institutions responsible for planning," he lamented.
A New Era for Havana's Hospitality
The management of the K-23 Tower Hotel will be handled by the Spanish company Iberostar. The hotel stands at 154 meters with 42 floors, housing 565 five-star rooms. Built entirely with Cuban capital, the project has endured the economic turmoil that Cuba has faced since its construction began in 2018, with an initial completion date set for 2022.