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Old Ponce Casino

Casino de Ponce
IMG 2934 - Antiguo Casino de Ponce, in Ponce, Puerto Rico.jpg
Casino de Ponce in 2010, looking southeast
Locator map
Locator map
Location of Ponce and the casino in Puerto Rico
Location Southeast corner of Calle Marina & Calle Luna, Ponce, Puerto Rico
Coordinates 18°00′36″N 66°36′48″W / 18.010082°N 66.613368°W / 18.010082; -66.613368Coordinates: 18°00′36″N 66°36′48″W / 18.010082°N 66.613368°W / 18.010082; -66.613368
Built 1922
Architect Agustin Camilo Gonzalez
Architectural style Second Empire, Neo-Rococo
NRHP Reference # 87001818
Added to NRHP October 28, 1987

The Antiguo Casino de Ponce (English: Old Ponce Casino), or simply the Casino de Ponce, is a historic structure, built in 1922 and located in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Originally built as a social club for Ponce's elite, it is currently used as the premier reception center of "The Noble City of Puerto Rico". The building, designed by Agustin Camilo Gonzalez in the Second Empire and Neo-Rococo styles, has a French facade and tones. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on October 28, 1987. It is located at the corner of Marina and Luna streets. The building has been called "an icon of Ponce's architecture, history, and identity." It is owned and administered by the Ponce Municipal Government.

When built in 1922, it was actually the replacement quarters for Ponce's exclusive club, the previous one having been destroyed by a hurricane. In addition to its original use, the building has also served as postal office, a public health unit, tax collector's office, and as a temporary city hall. The building was designed by Agustin Canilo Gonzalez, and the artesanical works were the product of Jose Cott, Victor Cott, and Camilo Gonzalez (Jr.) Local painter Don Miguel Pou was responsible for the painted tapestries.

The Old Casino de Ponce stands as a reminder of the wealthy of southern Puerto Rico in the late 19th and early 20th century.

From the architectural standpoint, the Old Casino is significant because in its structure the architect managed to incorporate the 19th century (Second Empire, neo-Rococo and other architectural styles in concrete construction:"It represents a transitional point from the brick and stucco classical Spanish traditional construction to the modern, reinforced-concrete technology of the United States."


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