Ciudadela San Martín, Modern architectural complex in central Bogotá, Colombia.
Ciudadela San Martín is a modern complex featuring two towers and a shopping center in central Bogotá. The North Tower rises with 47 floors reaching approximately 171 meters (561 feet) above ground.
The South Tower was designed in the 1960s by architect Fernando Martínez Sanabria and opened in 1970 as the Caja de Sueldos de Retiro de la Policía, built to generate returns on the police pension fund's investments. Planned as apartments, it was soon leased to Hilton, which opened a hotel there in 1972; for decades the building was known as Hotel Hilton Bogotá. The North Tower was built between 1980 and 1983 to designs by the firm N.I. Ripinsky, which was dissolved after the project.
The South Tower opened in 1970 as the Caja de Sueldos de Reiro de la Policía, then was leased to Hilton, which ran a hotel there from 1972; for decades the building carried the brand name Hotel Hilton Bogotá. The North Tower, finished in 1983, was designed by the firm N.I. Ripinsky, liquidated after the project. Both towers share brick facades.
The complex stands on the eastern side of Carrera Séptima between Calle 32 and Calle 33A, in the San Martín neighbourhood; the National Museum, the National Park and La Macarena are within walking distance. The San Martín shopping centre, opened in 2007, holds shops, a food court, a gym and a supermarket. Both towers were renovated that same year.
The North Tower, also called Edificio CASUR, was designed by the firm N.I. Ripinsky, which was liquidated after completing the project. The South Tower is known as Edificio Orquídea Real. Both towers share brick facades but differ in height and volume.
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