Friday, 18 February 2011 08:34
House of Green Gables
The famous House of Green Gables is a rare and classic example of German Renaissance architecture and one of the most attractive and sumptuous mansions in the city. This construction is located on the equally famous and beautiful Fifth Avenue and Miramar, a Havana neighborhood that´s changed the most since it emerged in the 1920´s.
Completed in 1926, the House of Green Gables is a work by architect José Luis Echarte, and was commissioned by a former Presidential Palace caretaker, Armando de Armas, in order to live there with his family. The house was built with brick walls and marble floors; it originally had three floors as well as dormer windows, cone-shapped turrets and sloped roofs exaggerated with American, light green tiles, which gives it its singularity and notoriety. The main floors were connected by a veneer spiral staircase with parts of Carrara marble.
In regard to its owners, there have been countless stories; it is certain the house had various owners or tenants until November 1943 when the property was acquired by Luisa Rodríguez y Faxas, who occupied it until the end of his days. His lack of resources needed for maintenance is why the property is substantially degraded.
It was recently restored and now houses the Modern and Contemporary Architecture, Urban Planning and Interior Design Promoter Center.
Visiting hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 a.m. to Noon and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to Noon.
Address: 308 2nd Street, between 3rd and 5th Avenues, Miramar
Telephone: (+53-7) 212 5282
Email: tejasverdes@gc.patrimonio.ohc.cu
More information: House of Green Gables
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