Bicsa Financial Center Explained

Bicsa Financial Center
Native Name Lang:sp
Status:Complete
Location:Avenida Balboa, Panama City, Panama
Coordinates:8.9762°N -79.5225°W
Architectural:2670NaN0
Tip:2670NaN0
Floor Count:66
Start Date:2009
Completion Date:2013
Opening:November 2013
Building Type:Mixed-use:
Hotel, Office, Residential
Floor Area:211920-2NaN-2
Material:Steel;
Reinforced concrete;
Glass
Developer:F & F Properties
Architect:Pinzón Lozano & Asociados[1]
Architectural Style:Postmodern
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 2670NaN0 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

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 381abbr=offNaNabbr=off, 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]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Pinzón Lozano y Asociados – Firma de Arquitectos. www.plasoc.com.
  2. Web site: Bicsa Financial Center. The Skyscraper Center. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat. 2021-01-28.
  3. Web site: Bicsa Financial Center. skyscraperpage.com. SkyscraperPage. 2014-11-21.
  4. Web site: Ice Tower. https://web.archive.org/web/20060524145457/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=240010. dead. May 24, 2006. 2007-09-26. Emporis.
  5. Web site: Palacio de la Bahía. https://web.archive.org/web/20070114192204/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=palaciodelabahia-ciudaddepanama-panama. dead. January 14, 2007. 2007-09-26. Emporis. Emporis.
  6. Web site: Ice Tower on Ave. Balboa CANCELLED (Confirmed by F&F). 2007-06-22. Don Winner. 2007-09-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20070810145501/http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20070622080305821. 2007-08-10. dead.
  7. Web site: High-rise Buildings (never built). https://web.archive.org/web/20040914034757/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/sk/li/?id=101251&bt=7&ht=2&sro=1. dead. September 14, 2004. Emporis. Emporis. 2007-09-26.
  8. Web site: Ice Tower on Ave. Balboa CANCELLED (Confirmed by F&F) - Panama Guide. www.panama-guide.com. 2014-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20070810145501/http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20070622080305821. 2007-08-10. dead.
  9. Web site: Pilotec and Cemex Execute 1,150 m3 Concrete Pour at the Ice Tower - Panama Guide. www.panama-guide.com. 2014-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20181124003642/http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20070624132843583. 2018-11-24. dead.
  10. News: Se desploma acera de la Avenida Balboa. La Prensa. Shelmar Vásquez. Sween. 7 May 2009. 2021-01-28. es.
  11. Web site: Reader Photos of Ave. Balboa Retaining Wall Collapse - Panama Guide. www.panama-guide.com. 2014-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123201045/http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20090507095001122?query=star+bay+tower. 2018-11-23. dead.
  12. News: Fallas en el muro del Star Bay Tower. La Prensa. Shelmar Vásquez. Sween. 14 May 2009. 2021-01-28. es.
  13. News: Hilton is back in Panama. La Estrella de Panamá. Editorial staff. 15 May 2009. 2021-01-28.
  14. News: Hilton anuncia cuatro hoteles en Panamá. La Prensa. Roberto González. Jiménez. 21 May 2009. 2021-01-28. es.
  15. Web site: Hotel Fire Extinguished After Two Days - Panama Guide. www.panama-guide.com. 2014-11-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123200739/http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20121012103444608. 2018-11-23. dead.
  16. Web site: Hilton Panama City Hotel with Casino Near Panama Bay. www3.hilton.com.

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