Venezuela moves to close down Torre David, a 45-story ‘vertical slum’

[brooklynite]

Source: Miami Herald

CARACAS -- For more than a decade, the Torre David skyscraper — a 45-story carcass of unfinished cement, steel and glass — has loomed over the city.

Inside, more than 4,400 people call the building — the Venezuelan capital’s third-tallest — home. Outsiders call it the world’s tallest squat, a vertical slum.

Authorities begin relocating the building’s residents to public housing outside the capital this week. If they complete the task, it would bring an end one of the most potent symbols of the administration’s populism: a onetime luxury skyscraper that had become a labyrinthine village of dwellings and shops. It had basketball courts and its own evangelical prayer meetings.

On Wednesday, Ernesto Villegas, the government minister charged with Caracas’ redevelopment, was touring the site for the second day. He said the residents’ reaction to relocation was “absolutely positive” and that 160 families would be moved by the end of the week.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/07/23/4251644/venezuela-moves-to-close-down.html

[JackRiddler]

1. Miami Herald reports something positive about Venezuela!

Now that is news.

[MyNameGoesHere]

8. They didn't actually.

Construction of the award-winning design began in 1990, and there were hopes that the office block, luxury hotel and convention center would revitalize the city. "There was a helipad for the banking executives who would enjoy commanding views of downtown Caracas". But work came to a halt in 1994 when a financial crisis swept the nation

They didn't go on to say that the Bolivarian revolution didn't take power until 5 years after the building construction was abandoned by US backed neoliberals that sent the country into financial ruin.

This is just the Miami crowd reminiscing over lost fortunes.

[geek tragedy]

2. .

He also denied reports that the eviction comes after Chinese developers had purchased the site — rumors bolstered by the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the signing of 38 commercial agreements, including a $4 billion loan.

Interesting to revisit this in three months.

[candelista]

3. Just some comradely investment.

[brooklynite]

4. Other articles report that the residents are being moved an hour out of the City.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. I thought it sounded familiar:

an episode of the US television drama Homeland, was set in the building

[defacto7]

6. There was a great article

in the New Yorker a couple of years ago about this place. Quite a story.

[quadrature]

7. very sad... the 1%ers win again...nt