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Cartagena, Colombia

The Ocean Tower is located at a very strategic point with easy access to the commerce area, furthermore, it has the best ocean view in the city. The overall building project was planned for two towers, one of twenty-seven floors and another of thirty-five floors. One of the towers was to have five start rooms as part of the famous Sheraton hotel chain (Escobar, 2021).  The other tower was to be part of a residential project, which was planned to contain luxurious apartments with ocean views. One of the main selling points of the project was the large heliport, located on the hotel’s side of the construction.

Investigations revealed that the main reason for the project's failure was the lack of funds (Escobar, 2021). There was documentation found showing large amounts of money given in advance to an Ocean union which none of the investors seemed to recognize. $143 million of Colombian pesos was given to This Ocean Union company Throughout the years from 2016 through 2018 (Escobar, 2021). The improper project management, and lack of diligence to manage the project’s financial stability has resulted in the unfortunate outcome where investors don’t know where their money is, all while the giant construction site faces years of fast deterioration of its foundations due to the harsh salty ocean air.

The Ocean Tower Project, the monumental Bocagrande project, is transforming into a giant Urban Ghost. As described in a quote written in The Beauty in Decay book, “The modern urban ruin is, if you think about it, is the ideal place for contemplation.” (Romany WG, 2011).  Although residents of the city have become accustomed to the giant ghost, it is inevitable for tourists to question what happened to the buildings and to admire what has become an artistic decayed and abandoned monument to admire, a place revealing the story of what had happened there.

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PROJECT TIME LINE

2012

THE BEGINNING

2012 marked the beginning of the construction of the biggest building project built in Cartagena, Colombia, Ocean Tower

2015

COMPLETION

The construction, which was conformed by a hotel and residential project, was aimed to be completed and ready for tenants and visitors in December if this year

2018

OUTCOME

The Ocean Tower Project, the monumental Bocagrande project, is transforming into a giant Urban Ghost.
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