Old Union Club Walls Come Down

After a bit of delay, deconstruction of the Old Union Club on First Street in Casco Viejo has begun, reports La Prensa.

The building, which dates back to 1917, will make way for a five-star Panama hotel, a project led by New York hotelier, Paul Stallings.  The deconstruction began with the demolition of the old swimming pool and recreation area, replacing it with dirt.

Director of the History World Heritage, Jaime Zarate, said that the historic building will be rebuilt, while the Calicanto Foundation asserts that this project is not a reconstruction because the original facade is not being respected.

The Club Union was Panama’s most exclusive social club when it opened.  With the migration of affluent families away from the old city to other areas, the club was abandoned.  Under Manuel Noriega, it became the Club de Classes y Tropas and hosted lavish parties for the General’s “classes and troops.”  After the U.S. invasion, the building fell into ruin and has since been used as a movie filming location, an events space and a skateboarding arena.

The former pool and recreation area La Prensa/Carlos Lemos