Cartagena de Indias is an amazing Caribbean destination in the North of Colombia, established in 1533 by Spanish Conqueror Pedro de Heredia and widely known as “La Heroica” due to its fierce independence in 1811. UNESCO World Heritage city since 1984, with over a million population, Cartagena is also the most efficient cargo port in the Caribbean, inaugurated in 1934 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Its international Rafael Núñez airport moves over 7.5 million passengers a year connecting the city with 19 overseas destinations in the Americas and Europe, as well as the full Colombian domestic flights demands. A Colombian Navy Base in the core of Bocagrande, the touristic quarter designed by Architecture firm Obregón & Valenzuela in 1952 following Coral Gables urban ordinances, makes Cartagena the safest place in Colombia as well as a unique Presidential Home in the bay aside Casa de Nariño in Bogotá, the nation's capital.

Its fully sustainable oil refinery is the most modern in the Americas and was built between 1919 and 1958 by the Andian National Corporation (subsidiary of the Standard Oil Company) and enhanced in 2015 by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company. Cartagena's petrochemical hub is 25% the size of Houston's and contributes significantly to the Colombian GDP, added to the flourishing tourism focused on its rich cultural history and natural beauty over the past 2 decades. It's also an education regional hub hosting over 10 universities, 5 of which share Cartagena's Downtown as their campus. The city is expanding towards Barranquilla, Shakira and Sofía Vergara’s hometown 100 Km Northeast since the late 20th century. Gated communities, exclusive resorts, PGA standard golf courses and a brand-new international airport are under development and construction. Several private schools and universities have landed in the area over the 21st century.

Influenced by Mediterranean and Moorish heritage as well as North American urban developments, the city has a diverse architecture repertoire that includes colonial neoclassic, revivals and Mid Century-Modern that merge the residential, religious, military and institutional buildings in a unique eclectic mixture with high end contemporary skyscrapers, Cartagena has been in the cinema spotlight through great movies productions since the 1950's that attracted stars such as Marlon Brando, Robert de Niro, Colin Firth and Will Smith. Over the 20th century Cartagena had a seasonal touristic flow, today its cultural calendar includes international films, classic music and literature festivals, the National Beauty and Independence pageants, as well as multiple sports arenas and an Ironman event. This is the magical scenario where Nobel Prize Gabriel García Márquez dreamed of his novel “Love in the times of Cholera” and the place he chose to rest forever in a sanctuary built inside the “Claustro de la Merced”, a beautiful 4 centuries old convent.

Southwest Cartagena is Tierrabomba island, the Barú peninsula and the Rosario islands national park, a nature paradise. The old port gateway is guarded by the San Fernando fortress and the San José bastion. This was the war theater of the greatest navy invasion before “D” day, the 1741 British fleet commanded by Admiral Edward Vernon was shamelessly defeated by the forces led by Spanish hero Blas de Lezo. Due to this historic episode South America still speaks Spanish and Portuguese. Over 2 miles of stone walls surround downtown Cartagena and dozens of military structures were built between 1614 and 1798 around the bay, that remain in remarkable condition due to a great effort of the local heritage experts during the last 6 decades. The greatest castle in the Americas is San Felipe de Barajas and is the jewel of the Spanish Crown, with full domain of Cartagena’s war theater.

So much to learn and discover in this vibrant city that doesn’t sleep and has turned into the most shining place in the Caribbean cruise ships itineraries due to its natural protection against hurricanes and rich cultural heritage. After 5 decades of revitalization, Cartagena de Indias has become an international events and weddings destination with multiple resorts, boutique hotels, convention centers, renovated public spaces and an efficient public multimodal transportation system. Its cultural landscape is worth a visit and an investment. Our CEO’s hometown, it's been the perfect background for our studio's professional practice over the last 3 decades and the best training field to design worldwide!