El Condado

Condado
Sector (of Santurce)
View from beach at hotel La Concha Resort
Locator map of Condado in the district of Santurce
2000 Census map
Republic	United States of America
Island	Puerto Rico
District	Santurce
Borough	San Juan
Area
• Land	0.3185 sq mi (0.825 km2)
Population
• Total	6,170
	(U.S. Census 2000

Condado (translates to county in English) is an oceanfront, tree-lined pedestrian-oriented community in Santurce.

Condado is primarily a middle to upper class community. It is located east of the historic colonial district of Old San Juan. It is one of 40 "sub-districts" of Santurce. The land area measures 203.81 acres (82.48 ha) with a resident population of 6,170 according to the 2000 United States Census.

The eastern border is marked by De Diego Avenue and its straight extension towards the Atlantic coast. On the south, the district is bounded by Wilson Street, Aldea Street, Expreso Baldorioty de Castro, Piccioni Street and Delcasse Street, and by the Condado Lagoon (from east to west). At the westernmost point is the Dos Hermanos Bridge, where Ashford Avenue ends and leads into Old San Juan. In the north are the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean next to hotels and other attractions such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and restaurants. Condado is one of the island's primary tourist destinations.

Condado began its process of urbanization in 1908 by two American industrialists, Hernan and Sosthenes, also known as the Behn Brothers. The quarter became a typical streetcar suburb to the traditional urban center of Old San Juan. Its growth and development was mostly shaped by a transportation influenced suburbanization developed on a grid plan.

The neighborhood experienced an economic boom in the first decades of the 20th century when some of the wealthiest families built their homes in the area. The Vanderbilts built a summer home in 1919 which today has been converted into the luxurious Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. The Behn Brothers also built their home in Condado and to their memory, Dos Hermanos Bridge (or "Two Brothers Bridge" in English) is named in their honor as founders of Puerto Rico Telephone and the new electric tramway line that linked the county to Old San Juan.