Casino de la Selva, Architectural complex in Cuernavaca, Mexico
Casino de la Selva was an architectural complex in Cuernavaca that sprawled across a large property with gardens, natural springs, and multiple structures. The buildings featured distinctive concrete paraboloid shell roofs, a design choice that defined the property's modern appearance.
The property began in 1931 as a hotel and casino, then converted to an exclusive hotel in 1934. Major renovations by architect Felix Candela in the 1950s modernized the structures and solidified its position as a significant destination.
The interior walls displayed murals created by Mexican artists such as Josep Renau, Jose Reyes Meza, Guillermo Ceniceros, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. These artworks transformed the spaces into galleries where visitors encountered visual expressions of local creative talent.
The property contained accommodation blocks, an Olympic swimming pool, restaurants, event halls, and recreational facilities throughout its operation. Since the site was demolished in 2001, visitors interested in its history cannot see the physical structures themselves.
Writer Malcolm Lowry composed sections of his novel 'Under the Volcano' while staying at the property during its golden period. The setting became part of the author's creative process for this important literary work.
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