By José Arias
El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO – The Casa Vapor has sometimes caught our attention because of the unusual sight of a houseboat about to set sail in the middle of the city. A rare and unique sight in a metropolis filled with towers and tall buildings.
In its early days, the building recreated ocean waves, a ship's deck, and even the skylights we've all seen in movies with nautical themes. Its original name was Vitalicio.
The two-story building, its prow facing east, is located on the corner of Francia Avenue and Doctor Delgado Street, almost exactly on the border of three important neighborhoods in the capital: Gazcue, San Juan Bosco, and San Carlos. For decades it has served as a family residence, restaurant, and hotel.
History
The design and construction of this beautiful and unique residence dates back to 1936. It was overseen by the prestigious engineer and architect Henri Gazón Bona (1909-1982). The land was once part of the property of Gazón Bona's father, Louis Gazón, owner of the then-French Hotel in the Colonial Zone.
We also owe to this Dominican architect's talent a series of works that remain relevant to this day. Of course, all commissioned by Trujillo.
We are referring to the churches of San Cristóbal and San Juan de la Maguana, the first military fortresses on the Border Line, the Model Market on Avenida Mella, and of course, the sober and uniform Dominican Parties throughout the national geography
Due to “disagreements” with Trujillo, the architect, musician, and astronomer Gazón Bona was forced to leave the country in 1954. The reason for his involuntary exile?
The strongman and his associates rejected the design of the Castle of the Hill, another work of the genius and talent of Don Henri built on a hill in the south of the province of San Cristóbal.
The dictator's "annoyance" with the Castle of the Hill reached the point that he never lived in the property and his visits to it were few.
In its younger days, Casa Vapor had its own poets. “Whose graceful marine lines stood out over a peaceful sea of grass. With its prow to the east, the rare vessel scanned the horizon,” wrote the prominent intellectual Gimbernard.
