Inauguration of Plaza Panama

11 May

On April 25, 2023, as the sun was setting over the horizon, the vibrant heart of Ciudad Porta Norte was born: Plaza Panama. This Colonias Group landmark, inaugurated in an emotional ceremony that brought together partners, family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and prominent personalities of the country, marked the beginning of a new era. More than just a space, Plaza Panama is the city's first public space, an epicenter of life, business and pleasure, which promises to be the shining beacon of the urban future.

At the vibrant beginning of our new city, the inauguration of Plaza Panama at Porta Norte stands out as an unforgettable milestone. Meticulously orchestrated by the Grupo Colonias team, this event not only symbolizes a new stage, but also faithfully reflects the spirit and character of Ciudad Porta Norte.

Retreat of the music and guests at the inauguration of Plaza Panamá

The event was a kaleidoscope of emotions and revelations. We enthusiastically shared the recent accomplishments of Phase One and Plaza Panama, and unveiled our ambitious plans for Phase Two, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to transforming community life. With almost palpable pride, we unveiled Porta Norte's new image, a logo that is a testament to our vision. But we didn't stop there; we also outlined our efforts to forge partnerships in key areas - Institutional, Environmental, Social and Marketing - with neighboring projects.

By our side, like firm rocks in this sea of change, were Henry Faarup Mauad, President of Grupo Colonias and co-founder of Porta Norte, Henry Faarup Humbert, General Manager of Grupo Colonias and also co-founder of Porta Norte, and Alfredo Motta, Commercial Director of Porta Norte. Before we dive into the words they spoke at the event...

Let's talk about Plaza Panama

Plaza Panama, the first public space in our planned community, is more than just a 1,800 square meter building; it is a canvas that fosters Panamanian culture and identity, an inclusive and welcoming space for all.

The crown jewel of the plaza is the Retreta de la Música, a structure that was conceived not only as a place for events, but also as a cultural beacon. This space is the ideal host for an open-air celebration of the rich diversity of our culture: concerts, theater, lectures and other performances.

Retretas are the heart of many communities in the interior of Panama, a meeting point for cultural events and festivities. At Porta Norte, we embrace this tradition and make it our own.

Our retreta, with its six white pillars evoking colonial architecture, steps adorned with mosaics and clay, roof tiles and wooden eaves, is an ode to the retreta of the Plaza de la Independencia in Casco Viejo. A mixture of past and future, of tradition and innovation.

Plaza Panama is proud to house the grandest flag in North Panama, a work painstakingly woven by the hands of the Instituto Panameño de Habilitación Especial (IPHE). This flag, which flies majestically on an aluminum flagpole more than 15 meters high, is a visible beacon for all who travel the new Via Panama Norte.

But the square is much more than the Retreta de la Música and our flag unfurled in the wind. It is enhanced by a number of elements that add to its charm and personality. Strategically placed concrete benches not only provide comfortable seating, but also a refuge for visitors. These benches are embellished with planters that house exquisite plants such as Sansevieria Trifasciata, the "Mother-in-Law's Tongue", and Catharanthus Roseus, the "Chavelitas".

In addition, we have added traditionally designed lanterns that accentuate the character of the plaza. These luminaires, with their colonial aesthetic, rise to 3.5 meters, with a head that adds 0.5 meters more, reaching a total height of 4 meters.

We have planted more than 10 large trees in the plaza, each carefully selected not only to beautify the landscape, but also to provide environmental benefits. Among these green giants are the sturdy oak, bitter cedar, guachapali, majestic mahogany and the iconic Panama tree. These trees, which stand like living monuments, will create a cool, shady environment all year round. But they are not alone, they join the 20 sweet Pithecellobiums that line the plaza, adding even more color and charm to this urban oasis.

First raising of the Panamanian flag

The raising of our grand Panama flag in the plaza represents much more than a simple civic act; it symbolizes the firm commitment of the Grupo Colonias team to build a new city, a community designed and planned with a focus on human well-being.

This historic moment was shared with distinguished ladies: Liz Marie Faarup, Jaqueline Faarup, Gloria Delgado, Tere Dominguez, Rebecca Santacoloma de Rojas Pardini, Myrna Rojas Pardini and Liz Humbert.

Adding a layer of solemnity and spiritual transcendence to the event, we were honored to have Father Manuel Villarreal bless our flag, underlining the importance of values and faith in the foundation of a solid and united community. The celebration culminated with the interpretation of the national anthem by the prestigious musical band of the Monsignor Francisco Beckmann Educational Center of North Panama, a perfect tribute to the homeland.

Speeches

Henry Faarup Mauad

Let's go back to Sunday, December 20, 1903, to Plaza de Francia in Panama, where our independence heroes celebrated the christening of the flag of the newly born Republic. At Ciudad Porta Norte, we pay homage to that transcendental moment by inaugurating a dazzling plaza that encapsulates our urban vision and aspires to revive the charm of the neighborhood, an ambiance that has faded over time, under the guidance of New Urbanism.

Our ambitious project in Ciudad Porta Norte, co-created with renowned architect Andrés Duany, opens a door of opportunity for developers of all sizes to join and contribute to this thriving community. We are committed to creating a complete city, a place that encompasses residential, educational, employment, institutional, healthcare and recreational components. The invaluable support of the Rojas Pardini family, developers, and Banco General has been a fundamental pillar in the growth and success of this vibrant sector.

The charm of the real estate projects surrounding Ciudad Porta Norte has fascinated all those who have accompanied us. We thank the Rojas Pardini family, our partners, and the real estate developers in the area, with whom we have formed the group called Ciudad Panama Norte, with the mission of highlighting this prosperous sector and its advantages at a national level.

Today, on this historic day, we raise the flag for the first time in the vibrant plaza of Ciudad Porta Norte. The vision of the plaza is intertwined with the principles and values of the Founding Fathers, as together, we build a promising future. This space will be transformed into a meeting point for future generations, a place where history, present and future coexist. Ciudad Porta Norte is the home of a superior quality of life and the stage where our vision materializes.

Henry Faarup Mauad, Chairman of Grupo Colonias and co-founder of Porta Norte

Henry Faarup Humbert

Dear guests, it is an honor to have you here on this special day. My gratitude extends first and foremost to my wife Gloria, who in her 37th week of pregnancy, could have made me a father on this date. To her and my mother-in-law, my thanks for their tireless support during this exciting time in our lives.

Today, we are here to celebrate the fruits of our tireless work at Ciudad Porta Norte, and my heart is full of gratitude to all who have contributed to this project. We have traversed a road full of significant milestones; from the Charrette and the First Shovelful, to the resumption of work after the pandemic and the planting of the First Tree. Today, it is time to celebrate the long awaited Inauguration of Plaza Panama.

During Phase 1, we have made great strides in the development of Panama Boulevard, Porta Norte Boulevard and La Union Avenue. We have brought Plaza Panama and Guayacanes Park to life, and incorporated the beauty of nature with trees and plants into the design. With the establishment of a university as the focal point of the project and the development of residential and commercial lots, we have sustained steady growth.

Today, we are thrilled to inaugurate Plaza Panama, a place where every detail has been designed with care and dedication. My sincere thanks to Ricardo Arosemena, Edward McGrath and Derpet for their invaluable contribution in the construction of this wonderful space. I invite you to enjoy its charms: the comfortable ergonomic benches, the majesty of the Panamanian flag, the enchanting retreta, the artistic mosaics and the leafy trees. And remember, you will always be invited to future events and to enjoy the WiFi connection available in the plaza.

With a palpable air of excitement, today we unveil Phase 2 of Ciudad Porta Norte, a project that emphasizes the creation of dynamic and welcoming residential communities. This next phase, which unfolds along the scenic Maria Prieta River and Mariposa Creek, promises a diversity of homes and apartments, as well as stimulating public spaces, such as the one that welcomes us today. Having internalized the lessons of Phase 1, and with a firm commitment to erecting the Maria Bridge and Plaza Fundadores, we are excited to present you with sophisticated and attractive residential and commercial options in this new phase that shows great promise.

Alfredo Motta

Dear guests, I would like to express my deep gratitude for being here on this special day. Today I am blessed to have successful and outstanding people like you, who are a living testimony that Panamanians are capable of doing great things. On behalf of the entire Porta Norte team, I would like to thank you for your presence, which fills us with joy and makes us feel truly important.

Today I stand before you, not only as a lot owner and partner, but also as the commercial director of Porta Norte, a role I assumed 5 months ago. This triple responsibility demonstrates my commitment and dedication to this project.

At Porta Norte we believe in healthy competition and in the strength that comes from unity. For this reason, it is a pleasure to welcome our dear neighbors from Green Valley, Green City and North Town. Together, we have approximately 2,000 hectares of land to develop. Taking advantage of our similarities, we have established an alliance for the benefit of our residents and clients, hiring the firm Neology, led by Miky Fábrega and Aidalis Porras, to collaborate on issues that concern us. From this collaboration arose the idea of forming Ciudad Panama Norte.

Ciudad Panama Norte is based on four strategic work areas that we have defined in structuring and strategy workshops. First, marketing and communications will be fundamental to attract and inform the population about Ciudad Panama Norte. We are also working on institutional relations and urban planning issues to ensure quality public services, such as potable water, electricity, internet, roads and security. In addition, we are committed to protecting the environment, caring for the river basins, implementing recycling programs, and conserving the area's flora and fauna. Finally, we have a strong focus on social responsibility and human development, working in areas such as education, sports, art and other aspects that will benefit the communities near Ciudad Panama Norte.

Regarding Porta Norte's identity, we are proud to present our new image. Porta Norte's identity has been developed by top professionals in Panama and the United States. Through digital and in-person surveys, we identified the main elements that represent Porta Norte: nature, walkable urbanism, colonial architecture, and wellness and health. To represent these elements, we created a shield that symbolizes the strength, security, belonging, nobility and permanence that characterize our city. The shield includes elegant and sober elements such as a tree, wide sidewalks, columns with capitals and an arched colonial door. In addition, we have incorporated the letter "N", which represents the north in the cardinal points, the objective or goal of our city and our location in the north of Panama. And now, with great pride, I present to you our new corporate identity:

Finally, I would like to extend an invitation to all of you to join this great dream that has become a reality. This area will undoubtedly experience exceptional growth and added value in Panama City and throughout the country. The time to invest is now, and we invite you to be part of this success, to share in the profits and to feel the great pride of being part of the Panamanians who trust in our country.

Grupo Colonias http://www.grupocolonias.com