Edificio Coltabaco, Cultural heritage building in downtown Cali, Colombia.
The Edificio Coltabaco is a three-story building with a tower in downtown Cali, displaying Renaissance and Mudejar architectural elements on its facade. The structure combines reinforced concrete with lightweight brick partitions decorated with gypsum, cement, and wooden ornamental details.
The building was constructed in 1936 by the Colombian Tobacco Company as their regional headquarters and served that purpose until 1991. After decades as a corporate office, it was donated to the city of Cali in 2016.
The building houses the Popular Institute of Culture, where art exhibitions and educational workshops happen throughout the year. Visitors can experience local artists and community programs working in these spaces.
The building is currently undergoing restoration to create educational spaces including a library and documentation center. Plan your visit accordingly, as some areas may be inaccessible during ongoing work.
The building was originally the headquarters of a major tobacco company and demonstrates philanthropic foresight through its eventual donation to the community. This shift from corporate to public cultural use marks it as an unusual example of urban transformation.
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