- Condado (Santurce)
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Condado — Sector (of Santurce) — View from beach at hotel La Concha Resort
Locator map of Condado in the district of Santurce
2000 Census map
Republic United States of America Island Puerto Rico District Santurce Borough San Juan Area - Land 0.3185 sq mi (0.8 km2) Population - Total 6,170 (U.S. Census 2000[citation needed] Condado (translates to county in English) is an oceanfront, tree-lined pedestrian-oriented community in Santurce.
Contents
Setting
Condado is primarily a middle to upper class community. It is located east of the historic colonial district of Old San Juan. It is one 40 "sub-districts" of Santurce. The land area measures 203.81 acres (82.48 ha) with a resident population of 6,170 according to the 2000 United States Census.
The eastern border is marked by De Diego Avenue and its straight extension towards the Atlantic coast. On the south, the district is bounded by Wilson Street, Aldea Street, Expreso Baldorioty de Castro, Piccioni Street and Delcasse Street, and by the Condado Lagoon (from east to west). The western-most point is the Puente Dos Hermanos, where Ashford Avenue ends and leads into Old San Juan. In the north are the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean next to hotels and other attractions such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and restaurants. Condado is one of the island's primary tourist destinations.
History
The 20th Century
Vanderbilt Hotel
Condado began its process of urbanization in 1908 by two American industrialists, Hernan and Sosthenes, also known as the Behn Brothers. The quarter became a typical streetcar suburb to the traditional urban center of Old San Juan. Its growth and development was mostly shaped by a transportation influenced suburbanization developed on a grid plan.
The neighborhood experienced an economic boom in the first decades of the 20th century when some of the wealthiest families built their homes in the area. The Vanderbilts built a summer home in 1919 which today has been converted into the luxurious Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. The Behn Brothers also built their home in Condado and to their memory Two Brothers Bridge or Puente Dos Hermanos is named in their honor as founders of Puerto Rico Telephone and the new electric tramway line that linked the county to Old San Juan.
The 1950s-60s era saw another boom in Condado, with the rapid industrialization of Puerto Rico, this flamboyant locale was becoming a popular tourist destination. Large hotels like the Caribe Hilton Hotel and La Concha Resort were built as part of a government sponsorship program under the Operation Bootstrap brand.
A convention center was built to host activities while many families began to move in during the development of high-end and high-rise apartment buildings. In fact, Ashford Avenue was named after another well-known Condado resident Dr. Bailey Ashford. It runs through the district and leads toward the Puente Dos Hermanos.[1]
Historical populations Year Pop. ±% 1940 2,470 — 1950 3,336 +35.1% 1960 3,371 +1.0% 1970 4,605 +36.6% 1980 5,575 +21.1% 1990 5,582 +0.1% 2000 6,170 +10.5% The 21st Century
Condado looks quite different from what it did at the turn of the century. Some of the luxurious homes which still remain nestled between the high-rise condominiums have been converted into small inns, shops, museums or restaurants. Dr. Bailey Ashford's home has been remodeled and there are plans to turn it into a museum.
The neighborhood's success as a popular residential and tourist spot is taking a toll on the infrastructure and residents. While properties in the area tend to be expensive, it is also often traffic congested, and residents have to contend with high noise levels even at late hours due to nightclubs and other attractions. Plans are currently underway to attempt to alleviate the traffic congestion with the improvement of bridges and provide more pedestrian social spaces for residents and visitors.[citation needed]
There are also a variety of dining options, specifically in Ashford Avenue. Every year, Condado holds a culinary festival of most of the popular restaurants around the area.
Condado is known as a Gay village and features such fashion boutiques as Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Gucci.[2][3]
References
- ^ Cangrejos - Santurce - Authors; Aníbal Sepúlveda, Jorge Carbonell, Centro de Investigaciones CARIMAR, Oficina Estatal de Preservación Histórica. (Spanish)
- ^ http://travel.gay.com/2009/03/puerto-rico-gateway-to-the-gay-caribbean.html
- ^ http://vacation.away.com/attractions/travel-ad-cid327488-condado-attid287098-condado-and-ocean-park-gay-beaches-attraction.html
References
Categories:- Streetcar suburbs
- District of Santurce
- Borough of San Juan
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