Lonja del Comercio building
The Lonja del Comercio (Commerce Market) building in Old Havana, Cuba served as the stock exchange in the capital until the 1959 Cuban Revolution. Today, it is an office building.[1]
Based in the building are local and foreign companies, the Brazilian Embassy, news agencies like the BBC, The AP, and the Habana Radio Station.
History
Its construction began in 1907 and ended in 1909, on land that belonged to rich families. The imposing building was designed by architect Thomas Mur and Jose Toraya, under the auspices of the U.S. company Purdy and Henderson. It is recorded since then as one of the most prominent of the early twentieth century Cuba.
After the Cuban Revolution, there were placed various offices and the building suffered some neglect.
In 1995 it began a general renovation project held by the Cuban-Spanish joint venture Aurea SA.
Façade
Renaissance style and character eminently eclectic. Its façade is varied decorated. At the top was placed a bronze statue of Mercury, the Greek god of trade, which is visible from a distance. In the original design there were only five stories for stock, warehouse, office and other activities of the Exchange.
References
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