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Features / Archive
November 24, 2009 0:09:21 | in art, culture, lifestyle
A Beautiful Transformation: Casa Rossell Rios in Barranco
By Rodney L. Dodig
In the district of Barranco on the main street of Av. Miguel Grau a wonderful transformation has taken place. There was the wreck of an old beach home for one of the wealthy families of old Lima located here. I remember seeing this once beautiful structure on my first trip to Peru in 2007 and thinking to myself what a shame it was that this palace had been allowed to fall into such disrepair. Imagine my surprise when a few months ago I was passing the place I called “The Red Palace” and there were workmen beginning repairs on the building. The actual name of the home is Casa Rossell Rios, which was built between 1909 and 1912; there is a lot on the internet about the home if you wish to look it up. I asked my friends here what was going on; did they know anything about this? Had a wealthy family of Peru or someone from another country bought this place and were they planning on bringing it back to its former glory?
A few days later my friends informed me that the home had been selected by Casacor for its historical significance and architectural style for restoration. Being new to Lima I had not heard of Casacor so I asked for an explanation. Apparently Casacor selects buildings that are in bad shape which have an architectural and historical significance to the district they are located in.
They then begin the process of renovating the structure and selecting designers to come in and take a room which they then use to demonstrate their interior designs to the public. The designs do not necessarily reflect the style of the building and can be quite modern in some cases. They place kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, sitting rooms, studio apartments and libraries to name a few. Artisans of all types are selected to restore the original interior and exterior of the building.
Seeing the details of the architecture of the interior of the home will absolutely leave you speechless. They restored the walls, doors, stained glass windows and all the small details on the interior of the home to their original state. The work is spectacular and not to be missed. Unfortunately no photos of the interior are allowed so you will have to attend this event if you wish to see the magnificent work done here. There are two rooms dedicated to old photos and artifacts from the Rossell Rios family and some furniture from that period as well. The renovation of the exterior was quite an amazing process to watch over the three months it took to complete the project. The dome over the main entrance is easily my favorite piece of work on the exterior. It astounds me that it could have been repaired and restored to its former appearance.
Once it was done, they had a grand opening which lasted until the fist of November, which allowed people to come in and see all the magnificent work that was done. The cost was $/.20 Soles and the tour was well worth the price. Inside, besides the stunning work done by the interior designers there is a restaurant on the first floor and a bar in the basement where you can enjoy a nice lunch or drink at the end of your visit. It is my understanding that once Casacor leaves this home will be used for a gallery/convention center which the city will rent out.
They then begin the process of renovating the structure and selecting designers to come in and take a room which they then use to demonstrate their interior designs to the public. The designs do not necessarily reflect the style of the building and can be quite modern in some cases. They place kitchens, bathrooms, dining rooms, sitting rooms, studio apartments and libraries to name a few. Artisans of all types are selected to restore the original interior and exterior of the building.
Seeing the details of the architecture of the interior of the home will absolutely leave you speechless. They restored the walls, doors, stained glass windows and all the small details on the interior of the home to their original state. The work is spectacular and not to be missed. Unfortunately no photos of the interior are allowed so you will have to attend this event if you wish to see the magnificent work done here. There are two rooms dedicated to old photos and artifacts from the Rossell Rios family and some furniture from that period as well. The renovation of the exterior was quite an amazing process to watch over the three months it took to complete the project. The dome over the main entrance is easily my favorite piece of work on the exterior. It astounds me that it could have been repaired and restored to its former appearance.
Once it was done, they had a grand opening which lasted until the fist of November, which allowed people to come in and see all the magnificent work that was done. The cost was $/.20 Soles and the tour was well worth the price. Inside, besides the stunning work done by the interior designers there is a restaurant on the first floor and a bar in the basement where you can enjoy a nice lunch or drink at the end of your visit. It is my understanding that once Casacor leaves this home will be used for a gallery/convention center which the city will rent out.
tags : Casa Rossell Rios Barranco Peru art tours
7 Comments
# alex! says :
24 November, 2009 [ 06:41 ]
25 November, 2009 [ 05:26 ]
26 November, 2009 [ 06:58 ]
26 November, 2009 [ 11:41 ]
26 November, 2009 [ 03:37 ]
1 December, 2009 [ 09:17 ]
3 December, 2009 [ 09:08 ]
# alex! says :
24 November, 2009 [ 06:41 ]
this is beautiful! my father and his family are originally from barranco, so i spent lots of time growing up in that district and, not just this building, but many other have that particular charm that makes you fall in love with an era long gone. Well done!# Ines Oppenheim says :
25 November, 2009 [ 05:26 ]
# Jricardo Cubas says :I grew up in Barranco and have always loved this town. It is so good to see all the restoration that makes this a beautiful little town full of traditions. Thank you for the good article and pictures.
26 November, 2009 [ 06:58 ]
My heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS AND GREATS! finally there was someone, not if you just pity or withsome economic interest, but eventually people are to some extent being one thing or another are concerned about our past and should be preserved,...and whoever preserves lives forever!# Ernesto Chiarella Jave says :
I will be more surprise waiting how are you in the course of this year and to come!
Again CONGRATULATIONS! WAYS OF ALL LODGES EVEN DESERVE TO BE SO!
JRicardo, Fortaleza-Ceará-BRASIL
26 November, 2009 [ 11:41 ]
This residence brings me many memories, makes more of 43 years when I was small always I call attention magnifies it that it was, but over the years it would deteriorate until it managed a little but the carelessness of the owners could more and the House is leave down, I'm happy see beautiful than for joy of its neighbours and tourists visiting the district OF BARRANCO# Valerie Mayer says :
26 November, 2009 [ 03:37 ]
I had some beautiful pictures taken back in 1987 when the entrance has these two little dwarfts as lamps just on top of the stairs... so beautiful! I am very glad that the house is comming together again!# Sonia Foley Boza says :
1 December, 2009 [ 09:17 ]
My mother's side family is "Barranquina" and I've seen this house deteriorate day by day for more than 40 years...perhaps more than that and now that SOMEONE with sensibility decide to redo the almost imposible make me feel that hope is still around us...thank you guys, is nice to know that you really care and love our past.# Susy!! says :
3 December, 2009 [ 09:08 ]
This is wonderful news! I was in Lima in 2008 and I was so taken by the structure of this building, the magnificent bones, the architecture. I also couldn't believe the state of disrepair, no one could tell us anything about this house, not even the tenants that used the side doors as entrance to the mansion, i took a peek inside and it hurt to see such calamity. This historical house should have been saved a long time ago. Can't wait to go back and see its splendor, and this time i might even be able to have lunch there and pretent it is 1912.
Thank God for projects like Casacor! Awesome article Rodnie!
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