What Could Have Been Built for Cubans Instead of the K-23 Tower Hotel?

The K-23 Tower Hotel in Havana has become one of the most controversial projects in recent years, sparking a heated debate about how the Cuban government allocates resources. Critics argue that the funds could have been better spent addressing the needs of the Cuban people. With a hefty budget of $200 million, Cuban architect Julio Herrera illustrated through a video on Instagram what alternative projects could have been funded to benefit infrastructure, social services, and community development.

According to Herrera, and based on U.S. pricing, the money used for the construction of this controversial tourism facility could have been redirected to numerous social and cultural impact projects. These include:

• A new 300 Megawatt Thermal Power Plant, equivalent to the outdated Antonio Guiteras power plant, the largest in the country.
• A new type of General Hospital with approximately 400 beds.
• Four Children's Hospitals with around 120 beds each for infants and newborns.
• Three Maternity Hospitals with about 150 beds each.
• Twenty Turkish barges or Floating Power Plants of 15 Megawatts for exclusive national use.
• One hundred well-equipped Polyclinics for primary health care.
• Two hundred well-equipped Dental Clinics for dental and maxillofacial care.
• Four hundred optical and ophthalmological clinics for general eye care and surgeries.

The debate extends beyond the amount spent, focusing also on the priorities of those involved. While projects like the K-23 Tower Hotel create jobs during construction and aim to boost tourism, critics argue that these benefits are limited to specific sectors, neglecting more pressing needs of the population. "Why do we need another hotel? We have enough, and they are never full because the tourism offered isn't appealing, so they choose other destinations... Tell me why build another one with so many current shortages... If someone is planning for the future... Let me know, is someone preparing and securing their life at the expense of a nation in misery?" commented a social media user.

Another noted that a well-known Cuban hospital nearby is in dire need of a major overhaul. "Five blocks away is Calixto García. A hospital that's been under repair for years. Closed rooms and equipment from the 90s. That's where the people are truly cared for," they pointed out.

The Controversy Surrounding K-23 Tower

Located at the intersection of 23rd and K streets in El Vedado, the K-23 Tower stands 154 meters tall with 42 floors housing 565 five-star rooms. This project, entirely funded by Cuban capital, began construction in 2018 and was initially slated for completion in 2022, but its opening is now postponed to 2024.

The building has faced fierce criticism from citizens and architects alike. Cuban architect Maurys Alfonso Risco described its design as a "dagger in Havana's landscape," noting that it violates urban planning regulations in Vedado and lacks elements typical of tropical architecture, like covered terraces or sun-protecting eaves. Additionally, the reflective glass facades obscure traffic lights, posing a hazard to drivers.

The hotel will be managed by the Spanish chain Iberostar, which will oversee this and other hotels in the Cuban capital. On social media, the K-23 Tower has been humorously renamed "The Tower of Misery" or "Mordor's Tower," reflecting public discontent with a construction that starkly contrasts with unmet basic needs, such as infrastructure repairs, hospitals, and the energy system.

This situation has heightened the discussion about government priorities in resource allocation, especially during a period of economic and social crisis in Cuba. The construction of the K-23 Tower is seen as a symbol of inequality and neglect for the urgent needs of the populace.