Havana’s Avenida del Puerto does not go unnoticed by those strolling through the city’s historic center. With marked commercial, industrial and tourist activity, this section of Havana Bay has been revived to reveal its natural beauty, weather-beaten over centuries.
In 2009, the City Historian's Office (OHC) proposed to restore this area of Havana, lost in time and memory, undertaking a comprehensive program of restoration along the Avenida del Puerto, which extends from the Caballería dock to the Almacenes de San José former shipping warehouses.
“Redefining the use of the bay, restoring old warehouses and converting this public space into a source of opportunities, development and economic, social and cultural exchange, are the main objectives of the project,” Orlando Inclán Castañeda, head of the urban planning department of the RESTAURA architecture company, told Granma.
The essential aims of this urban project are to eliminate environmental pollution, solve parking problems, build walkways and provide continuity to this waterfront strip.
In 2013, it was announced that the usual operations of Havana’s port would be transferred to the Mariel Special Development Zone, in the province of Artemisa. As such, the primary task is to turn this stretch of Havana Bay into a promenade where tourists and passersby can interact with the sea.
Many buildings are included in the comprehensive restoration plan, including the Port Customs building, the former wood and tobacco warehouse (Almacén de la Madera y el Tabaco) and the Emboque de Luz ferry terminal. However, it is not enough to merely salvage the history of the area; plans are to also provide it with a contemporary air.
THE CÁMARA DE REJAS
Perhaps as it was not directly visible, many people were unaware of the existence of this wonderful example of hydraulic engineering, which has served the city for over 100 years.
The Cámara de Rejas sewage system, built by Samuel Gray in 1911, during the neocolonial republic, had two purposes: first, to remove waste from the bay and expel it to the Atlantic Ocean; and second, to create separate drainage systems to prevent sewage from pouring into the port area.
This technique allows for waste water to be transferred via a tunnel under the bay to the district of Casablanca, from where it is expelled 148 meters from the Playa del Chivo beach, where the water temperature difference causes the waste to stream toward the gulf and not return to the bay, Inclán Castañeda explained.
This system also filters out stones, sand, or other materials and objects, to prevent them from entering sewers, and filters the wastewater from seven of the capital's municipalities.
In order to make this process visible, the Office of the Historian built a steel structure encasing the Cámara, unique in Cuba, representing a challenge for architects. Consisting of two boxes, one inside the other, the bottom half of the structure is solid for its protection, while a staircase along one side leading to a platform allows visitors to view operations through a glass upper section.
Better known by locals as “El Cubo” (The Cube), the structure, which arouses the interest of any passerby, is the product of collaboration between Havana’s water company, Aguas de La Habana, the Barcelona and Paris water companies.
With a contemporary, clear design, allowing for constant contact with people, “in the evenings, it also functions as a huge urban lamp which, seen from the other side of the port, illuminates the city,” architect Inclán Castañeda noted.
In the course of this year, “El Cubo” will see maintenance works to prevent the corrosion of its steel structure suffered since its completion three years ago. Although the sea is of great value, it also presents the greatest challenge to the buildings and structures alongside.
THE SIERRA MAESTRA TERMINAL, NEW VIEWS TO THE SEA
Part of the old San Francisco wharf, the Sierra Maestra Terminal was built between 1910 and 1914. By 1996, a cruise terminal had been built along the dock, allowing for the city to be included on Caribbean routes.
“The structure is in the preparation stage and this year joint works will continue with the Ministry of Transport,” explained Ademar Ramírez Blanco, head of the Avenida del Puerto department of the Investment Office of the Havana City Historian's Office.
A cruise terminal is planned as part of the final stages of works, envisioned as a building with multiple functions, providing commercial and cultural spaces for recreation and leisure activities for international visitors and locals.
”With these changes, we aim to bring visitors closer to the sea and create a space where passersby coexist, undertake daily activities, exercise, or just sit and contemplate the view,” Ramírez added.
RESTORING THE EMBOQUE DE LUZ TERMINAL
Its name was forgotten with the passing of time, but it is never too late to revive a piece of our history and culture.
The Bay of Havana was previously home to four ferry terminals, Regla, Casablanca, Guanabacoa and la Luz, of which only the first two continue to function today. Hence the OHC is allocating resources to repairing these structures, so that the Emboque de Luz terminal can once again serve as a dock for small boats to transport people from Old Havana to the towns of Regla and Casablanca.
Thousands of U.S. citizens escaping Prohibition in the 1930s entered Cuba through this port and with them, the vast majority of the classic cars that continue to pass along the city’s streets today.
In 1942, during World War II, the terminal became a Fire Station to protect the port in case of fires. After the war, it continued as such, hence the loss of its original name.
“The Emboque de Luz was a work that was due to be demolished and during the process, the metal structure which we later put together emerged. The foundations of the building were re-laid without destroying the premises,” Ramírez noted.
With a glass facade, the first floor of the station will see the boarding dock, while the second will serve as a cafeteria and vantage point to enjoy the beautiful ocean view.
THE SEAFRONT PROMENADE
The Alameda de Paula promenade, built by Antonio Fernández Trebejo, dates back to 1776, designed as a site to enjoy the seafront.
Here, the first part of the Paseo Marítimo de Paula (Paula seafront promenade) has already been completed. The work was undertaken in two stages: “They started in 2009. First the three jetties that were there were demolished; then the floating T-shaped walkway was mounted,” Ademar Ramírez explained.
The current floating walkway forms phrase one of the original project and will later be extended to link to the new brewery and restaurant in the former wood and tobacco warehouse and the Emboque de Luz ferry terminal.
Architect Orlando Inclán also explained that final details such as lighting and benches along the floating walkway will allow the public to further enjoy this space.
THE WOOD AND TOBACCO WAREHOUSE
The Almacén de la Madera y el Tabaco (wood and tobacco warehouse) was built in 1906 and its first owners were the Havana Central Railroad Company, which used it as a steel warehouse.
With the triumph of the Cuban Revolution, the warehouse was nationalized, together with the rest of the wharfs along the port, forming part of the “Margarito Iglesias” marine port and terminal.
The City Historian's Office, with the support of other institutions, transformed the former warehouse into a modern brewery and restaurant, while retaining the characteristic features of the building.
“We are now busy with maintenance, waterproofing and decking works, as well as the repair of systems,” Néstor Sat Rodríguez, senior specialist of the San Isidro group, explained.
In a short period of time, the brewery has become one of the busiest establishments in the historic center of the city. Sitting down with the family to enjoy a beer, while also being able to witness the manufacturing process, makes it even more appealing.
THE SAN JOSÉ WAREHOUSES
Buying a souvenir to remember the island is a must when visiting the historic center of Havana. One of the most popular places in this respect is the Almacenes de San José (San José warehouses) which house members of the Cuban Association of Craft Artists.
The warehouses were built in 1885 by architect Adolfo Sáenz Yánez, at a spot where steamboats could dock. They were used to store various products such as sugar, rum, rice and coffee. There were also railway lines connecting the warehouses with other docks.
“We are currently working on deck waterproofing and drainage. We are also going to open up the first floor in order to relocate the booksellers of the Plaza de Armas here, along with some art sellers,” Sat Rodríguez noted.
The city already looks different. From the San José warehouses to the Caballería dock, there is a new spirit to the surroundings. Despite the lingering dust from the various ongoing works, visitors can clearly make out just what this stretch of the Bay of Havana promises to become.
