Hurricane Irma shakes Havana's crumbling buildings
City's historic centre was already in poor condition before the violent storm hit
Havana
ROYDIS Valdés' dilapidated home on Animas Street in the densely packed centre of Old Havana had been declared uninhabitable by Cuba's Communist authorities years ago, his neighbours said. After Hurricane Irma shook the Cuban capital - a crumbling architectural jewel of the Caribbean - Mr Valdés and his brother were found under a collapsed wall, just two of the seven people killed by falling buildings on the island.
Havana's historic centre, where baroque Spanish colonial-era palaces butt shoulders with sleek Art Deco apartment buildings, was already crumbling before it took a lashing from Irma - a visible reminder of the hardship caused by a 57-year US trade embargo.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Property
Hong Kong home prices rise for first time in 11 months after curbs scrapped
HDB resale prices accelerate, rising 1.8% in Q1 on stronger demand
Singapore’s private home prices up 1.4% in Q1, rents drop by 1.9%: URA
OUE wins tender to lease, develop new ‘zero-energy’ hotel at Changi Airport’s T2
Singapore office rents in central region fall 1.7 per cent in Q1 over Q4: URA
Homebuyers shun new real estate in Vancouver, hurting builders