San Cristobal Apartments
Old San Juan 2019

San Cristobal Apartments

37,000 ft2 (3,400 m2)

This project represents a sensitive addition to the historic urban fabric, driven by the structural deficiencies and necessary demolition of an existing building. Located at the intersection of Sol, Norzagaray, and Luna Streets, the site occupies a prominent position across from the entrance to San Cristóbal Castle, a critical component of the San Juan National Historic Site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area comprises four plots of land originally developed as late 19th-century single-family homes, which were transformed more than 90 years ago into a larger building of imposing scale. Each surrounding street offers unique architectural rhythms and progressions, enriching the contextual complexity of the site.

The previous structure was deemed structurally unsound due to significant deterioration, necessitating its demolition. The new building retains its original purpose, continuing to serve tenants under Federal subsidized rent (Section 8). To facilitate the demolition, the residents were temporarily relocated, with the option to move to Las Americas Apartments in Hato Rey or use their Section 8 vouchers for alternative housing. Most tenants chose to return to the new building upon its completion.

A community meeting was held to present the project, gather feedback, and establish open communication. In collaboration with neighboring property owners, a detailed inventory of existing conditions was prepared, and sensors were installed in adjacent structures to monitor and refine demolition techniques.

The building design adheres to the guidelines of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, the State Historic Preservation Office, and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. It also complies with the Reglamento Conjunto de Permisos para Obras de Construcción y Usos de Terrenos. While the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards primarily address historic buildings, their environment, and related new construction, the project interprets the entire district as the historical entity to which this addition belongs.

The design prioritizes contextual harmony, addressing the district’s scale, volume, and massing while respecting Standard #9 of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, which governs massing, size, and architectural features. Additionally, it fulfills the Reglamento Conjunto requirements for new construction in historic districts, including urban fabric consolidation, proportional relationships, structural rhythms, directional expression, solid-to-void ratios, materiality, alignment, and plot composition rhythm. The result is a thoughtfully integrated structure that respects its historic surroundings while meeting modern needs.

Architectural Team
Miguel Angel Lage, A&T Design Studio, PSC
Structural Engineering
José Antonio Espinal, PE
Mechanical Engineering
Jorge Torres Scandali, PE
Contractor
West LLC
Client
Fernando L. Sumaza & Co. LLC