Once Again
On more than one occasion, I have written about the lamentable state of some architectural relics in Cartagena, specifically the one that housed the Rafael Núñez School, on Pedro de Heredia Avenue, and the Casa del Consulado, located on Sargento Mayor street in the Historic Center. The first was designed by the renowned French architect Gastón Lelarge, who lived in the city for years, and the second, a colonial-era heritage property, is on the verge of collapse. Both buildings are owned by the department of Bolívar, but, as mentioned, they are located in the territory of its capital.
TL;DR
- The former Rafael Núñez School, designed by architect Gastón Lelarge, and the Casa del Consulado are in a lamentable state of architectural decay in Cartagena.
- The Casa del Consulado, a colonial-era building, is on the verge of collapse.
- The Lelarge-designed building has been significantly dismantled, with its structural elements being removed.
- A proposal to restore the Casa del Consulado to house treasures from the San José galleon has not materialized.
- Both buildings are owned by the department of Bolívar but are located in Cartagena.
- Gastón Lelarge also designed a building that has been restored and is now part of the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Cartagena.
- The Casa del Consulado was built in the late 18th century to house the Consulate of Commerce of Cartagena.