FOCSA Building

FOCSA Building
General information
StatusTopped-out
TypeResidential
Architectural styleModern
LocationEl Vedado
Address17 y M
Town or cityHavana
CountryCuba
Coordinates23°08′34.4″N 82°23′02.7″W / 23.142889°N 82.384083°W / 23.142889; -82.384083
Construction startedFebruary 1954
CompletedJune 1956
Cost7,000,000 pesos
OwnerRevolutionary government
Height121 meters (397 ft)
Technical details
Structural systemWall and slab
Material48,000 kPa (7,000 psi) concrete
Size280 mm (11 in) wall, 171 mm (6.7 in) slab
Floor count39
Floor area77,000 m2 (830,000 sq ft) (res)
Lifts/elevators4 tenant + 2 service
Grounds10,000 m2 (110,000 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Martín Domínguez Esteban, Ernesto Gómez Sampera
DeveloperFomento de Obras y Construcciones, Sociedad Anónima; FOCSA
EngineerSáenz, Cancio & Martín
Structural engineerLuis Sáenz Duplace
Services engineerGustavo Becquer, mechanical Fernando H.Meneses, electrical
Civil engineerBartolome Bestard and Manuel Padron
Other information
Number of rooms374 apartments
Parking500 cars

The FOCSA Building is a residential and commercial block in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana, Cuba. At 121 meters (397 ft), it was the tallest building in Cuba for over 6 decades until the construction of La Torre López-Callejas. It was named after the contracting company Fomento de Obras y Construcciones, Sociedad Anónima, and the architects were Ernesto Gómez Sampera (1921–2004), Mercedes Diaz (his wife), and Martín Domínguez Esteban (1897-1970), who was the architect of the Radiocentro CMQ Building. The structural engineer was Luis Sáenz Duplace, of the firm Sáenz, Cancio & Martín, and professor of engineering at the University of Havana. The civil engineers were Bartolome Bestard and Manuel Padron. Gustavo Becquer and Fernando H.Meneses were the mechanical and electrical engineers, respectively. It is located on a site bordered by Calles 17 and M and Calles 19 and N in the Vedado.