Quick, what is the tallest building in Costa Rica? If you answered the Banco Nacional you were close.
At 91 metres (295.75) feet, 10 metres higher, the new Torre del Paseo Colon is now the tallest building in the land, taking the title from the Banco Nacional that was, forever, the tallest building in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is not known for tall buildings. In fact most of the country has been flat, building wise, for the longest time. However, lately there has been a crop of new, tall buildings, all over the Central valley. And I don’t mean small buildings that look tall sitting atop of the Escazú mountain. No, tall buildings from the ground up.
The trend, however, has been in high-rise condominium living. In most cities the tall buildings house banks and insurance companies for the most part.
In Costa Rica, however, they are home for those who have deep pockets, with prices starting at around US$100.000 dollars to US$250.000 dollars, depending on size and floor. And it is not uncommon to see asking prices of half million dollars or more on the real estate listings for these types of properties.
The Paseo Colon Towers (in English) represents a new style of living. And for living it is, as the 28 storey building is attempting to return life to the city. Joining the trend is the Vista Las Palmas, Condado del Palacio, vista del Parque, Sabana Real, Altos de Nunciature and Torres del Parque, are just a few that surround or near the Sabana park and the new national stadium.
In the past, if you asked if there are there any high-rise buildings in Costa Rica, the answer would have depended on your definition of high-rise.
In the past Costa Ricans not travelling outside the borders, in the past could only know tall buildings from photos or movies.
Now there really are tall buildings. Well, not as tall as compared to tall buildings in Panama, New York or Toronto, but tall in any event in Costa Rica.
A friend who jokes about this tells the story of how a Costa Rican, travelling outside the country for the first time, would compare the tall buildings he/she sees to the Banco Nacional. “Hey, look, this building is taller than the Banco Nacional” as the joke goes. It loses in the translation.
In any event, Costa Rican with money (or the ability to obtain credit) can now really look down on the rest!
Pura Visa, mae!
