The demolition of the iconic San Rafael hotel and casino in Punta del Este has begun

L & # 39; emblematic Hotel San Rafael in East Point, opened more than 70 years ago, began Friday to be demolished. In its place will be built a replica that will be part of a megaproject and tourism property Uruguay.

The San Rafael was inaugurated on December 11, 1948 in the ravine Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco. From that moment, it became the favorite place of the jet set and, in the 60s and 70s, an icon of luxury.

The destruction of the building has a reason: to build a hotel "ultraluxury" and the most important real estate project of recent years in Punta del Este.

The investment totals $ 450 million and consists of demolishing and rebuilding the abandoned Tudor-style building inaugurated in 1948. An elevated nave "L" will redefine the spectacular landscape in front of the "Brava" beach of Punta del Este.

In 1962, the luxury of San Rafael received the Argento-Cuban guerrilla Ernesto "Che" Guevara. And over the years, a long list of famous names like Julio Iglesias or Billy Idol has been added..

Center of meeting, gatherings and festivals, there remains little of its glorious past. Its almost ghostly silhouette contrasts each summer with the exuberance of landscape and tourist movements in this seaside resort, located 140 km east of Montevideo.

It's a "futuristic project that incorporates the old to the new, it's awesome," says the Venetian businessman smiling Giuseppe Cipriani, near a huge sign that shows the final design of the hotel.

"See something that has had a famous and important past … and seeing it now … is sad," says Cipriani. "It will surely be a resurgence of San Rafael, we are going to do it like that (the old building) but with a lot of improvement," he says.

The 52-year-old entrepreneur sparked controversy in 2018 when, after buying the building, he introduced the first tower project criticized for his height, in a spa that lives in the construction and construction sectors. real estate in addition to tourism.

The final project approved by the authorities will be the reverse: a white complex resembling two towers on the side that will flank the new building, similar in color to the current brick, after a complete demolition.

It will include a hotel, a casino – the cornerstone of the business – a residential area with an already sold hosting service and condominiums. The building will have 160 suites, luxury stores covering an area of ​​6,000 m2 and a 2.5-hectare car park in the basement.