VENGOECHEA BUILDING
Carrera 5 No. 11-82
	Architect Manuel De Vengoechea designed the building in 1939 and the structure is one of the first armed concreted in Bogotá. Built as apartment building for rent (14 duplex and two single floor apartments strictly ordered as a function of the five story structure), located in the colonial section of town. All looking into the street through those interesting outstanding façade balconies. Main entrance on carrera 5th is framed by a very beautiful circular hall indirectly illuminated using plaster plafonds and sumptuous washed granite with very colorful central geometry. Deserving mention master corner solution creating by skillfully managing volumes a sort of architectural element sculpture retracts the façade to let corner apartment balconies outstand free and light to reach the support pillar embracing it in a totally gracious and elegant curve. The column vertically ascends supporting balconies slightly exceeding main body height to be crowned by a metallic mast. Exodus to the north and other subsequent uses steadily deteriorated the building threatening demolition. Thanks to COLCULTURA, now Ministry of Culture’s efforts Banco de la República acquired the building in reserve for future Cultural Center expansion and embellishment changing original building home destination and as a result internal apartment layout now serving as Banco de la República Cultural Assistant Management offices. We wish to enhance conservation project will by Álvaro Rivera Realpe & Cia. and built by Cuéllar Serrano Gómez, under Banco de la República Buildings Department coordination