Bicsa Financial Center
Map
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeMixed-use:
Hotel, Office, Residential
Architectural stylePostmodern
LocationAvenida Balboa, Panama City, Panama
Coordinates8°58′34″N 79°31′21″W / 8.976226°N 79.522507°W / 8.976226; -79.522507
Construction started2009
Completed2013
OpeningNovember, 2013
Height
Architectural267 m (876 ft)
Tip267 m (876 ft)
Technical details
MaterialSteel;
Reinforced concrete;
Glass
Floor count66
Floor area211,920 m2 (2,281,100 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Pinzón Lozano & Asociados[1]
DeveloperF & F Properties
References
[2][3]

Bicsa Financial Center, first named Ice Tower, then Star Bay Tower, is a 66-story skyscraper in Avenida Balboa, Panama City. Standing 267 m (876 ft) tall, it is the third tallest building in Panama City and fourth in Latin America.

Bicsa Financial Center is also known for its distinctive glass colour (gold).

History

Bicsa Financial Center is located in Panama
Bicsa Financial Center
Bicsa Financial Center
Location of BFC within Panama

Ice Tower

Ice Tower was a supertall skyscraper project in Panama City in Panama, which was cancelled in 2007. The planned height of the building was 381 meters (1,250 feet), which would have 104 floors, increased from the original proposal of 80 floors .[4][5]

In March 2007, excavations began for the construction of the foundation of the building. However, three months later, in June 2007, the project was cancelled.[6] Ice is the third cancelled supertall skyscraper project in Panama City after the Torre Generali (cancelled in 2001) and the Palacio de la Bahía.[7][8]

In 2007, after the installation of steel reinforcement in the foundation, the Ice Tower project was halted. In order to prevent corrosion of the steel girders and be able to reuse the foundation, it was concreted.[9] The works were done on Sunday in order to have the necessary machinery and manpower.

Star Bay Tower

In May 2008, the works were resumed. The project was then renamed to 'Star Bay Tower' named after a developing company, Star Bay Group. In the early morning of 6 May 2009, the main retaining wall has collapsed. The incident has damaged parts of the adjacent sidewalk and roadway and caused interferences in the water supply.[10][11] The analysis made by the Panama Ministry of Public Works revealed that the retaining wall has some structural deficiencies, which made it weak and vulnerable to any hydrostatic load.[12] Later that month, Hilton Hotels announced that they would occupy 27 floors of the building.[13][14]

On 10 October 2012 fire broke out in the garage of the building. The fire was extinguished in 23 hours by approximately 200 firefighters.[15] After the incident, Banco Internacional de Costa Rica (BICSA) had rented some of the offices in the Star Bay Tower, which was the main reason why the projected received its current name.

In 2013, the building was completed. The official opening took place in September of the same year.[16]

Gallery

  • Bicsa Financial Center under construction in 2007
    Bicsa Financial Center under construction in 2007
  • Collapse of the main retaining wall in 2009
    Collapse of the main retaining wall in 2009
  • Bicsa Financial Center in August, 2013
    Bicsa Financial Center in August, 2013

See also

References

  1. ^ "Pinzón Lozano y Asociados – Firma de Arquitectos". www.plasoc.com.
  2. ^ "Bicsa Financial Center". The Skyscraper Center. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  3. ^ "Bicsa Financial Center". skyscraperpage.com. SkyscraperPage. Retrieved 2014-11-21.
  4. ^ "Ice Tower". emporis.com. Emporis. Archived from the original on May 24, 2006. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  5. ^ "Palacio de la Bahía". emporis.com. Emporis. Archived from the original on January 14, 2007. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  6. ^ Don Winner (2007-06-22). "Ice Tower on Ave. Balboa CANCELLED (Confirmed by F&F)". Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  7. ^ "High-rise Buildings (never built)". emporis.com. Emporis. Archived from the original on September 14, 2004. Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  8. ^ "Ice Tower on Ave. Balboa CANCELLED (Confirmed by F&F) - Panama Guide". www.panama-guide.com. Archived from the original on 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2014-11-25.
  9. ^ "Pilotec and Cemex Execute 1,150 m3 Concrete Pour at the Ice Tower - Panama Guide". www.panama-guide.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2014-11-25.
  10. ^ Sween, Shelmar Vásquez (7 May 2009). "Se desploma acera de la Avenida Balboa". La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  11. ^ "Reader Photos of Ave. Balboa Retaining Wall Collapse - Panama Guide". www.panama-guide.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2014-11-25.
  12. ^ Sween, Shelmar Vásquez (14 May 2009). "Fallas en el muro del Star Bay Tower". La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  13. ^ Editorial staff (15 May 2009). "Hilton is back in Panama". La Estrella de Panamá. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  14. ^ Jiménez, Roberto González (21 May 2009). "Hilton anuncia cuatro hoteles en Panamá". La Prensa (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  15. ^ "Hotel Fire Extinguished After Two Days - Panama Guide". www.panama-guide.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2014-11-25.
  16. ^ "Hilton Panama City Hotel with Casino Near Panama Bay". www3.hilton.com.
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