Plaza del Vapor, Havana

Plaza del Vapor, Havana
Mercado de Tacon
Plaza del Vapor, corner of Calles Galiano and Reina.
Alternative namesMercado Tacón
General information
TypeCourtyard
Architectural styleNeoclassical
LocationCalles Galiano and Reina
Town or cityHavana
CountryCuba
Coordinates23°07′59″N 82°21′45″W / 23.132975°N 82.362409°W / 23.132975; -82.362409
Estimated completion1835
Renovated1874
Demolished1959
OwnerRevolutionary government without 5authority demolished the Plaza.
Height
Top floor9.65 metres (31.7 ft)
Technical details
Structural systemSteel & masonry
MaterialMasonry
Size84 metres (276 ft) x 123 metres (404 ft)
Floor count3
Grounds10,345.1 square metres (111,354 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Rayneri and Sorrentino
DeveloperFrancisco Martí
Known forCentral market

The Plaza del Vapor was a covered market in Havana, it was completed in 1835. Its name derives from its builder Francisco Martí who became later the impresario of the Tacón Theatre and who had a monopoly of fish trade in the city. Martí had a painting placed against a wall from a bar of the ship El Neptuno, the first vapor (steam ship) that made regular round trips between Havana and Matanzas. "It was the image of that ship that ended up naming the building." From the Plaza del Vapor, Martí sold 50% of all the lottery tickets. in Cuba.