Quito, (11/12/2014) The President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa Delgado, toured the facilities of the historic building known as «La Licuadora» (The Blender) on Thursday Dec 11. The building, after been renovated by INMOBILIAR (Public Sector Property Management Service), becomes the new home of Ecuador´s Ministry of Tourism .

The president arrived at the building at 18:22 and was received by the Minister of Tourism, Sandra Naranjo and the director of INMOBILIAR, Arturo Mejia. Immediately, the authorities, followed by the media, visit the different floors of the structure.

The building, located at Gran Colombia avenue and Briceño Street, was built by Diego Ponce and inaugurated on December 11, 1973. At that time, this building struck by its peculiar shape: it has huge windows instead of walls and a rotating restaurant on the top floor.

Historical reflection

All these elements marked two important moments in the history of Ecuador: first, the oil «boom» in the 70’s; and secondly, the consolidation of neoliberal economic policies. One of the most remembered events in the building’s history occurred in 1980, when a bomb went off on the eighth floor, killing three people.

In this building ran Filanbanco, which was up until 1999 one of the largest financial institutions in Ecuador. On March 8, 1999 the Government of Jamil Mahuad ordered to «freeze» all bank accounts so account´s holder couldn´t take out their money. In the midst of this crisis, «La Licuadora» ceased operations in July 2001.

After a decade of neglect, the Government, through INMOBILIAR, has recovered assets of closed banks to make it available to the public, including «La Licuadora». The investment cost of its renovation reaches 5 million 300 thousand dollars.

The refurbishmentwas performed in 10 months and it is now the new house of Ecuador´s Ministry of Tourism. The building has 15 floors including ground floor, mezzanine, 12 top floors and 3 basements.

Refurbishment work

– Structural Reinforcement respecting the original architecture of the building.

– Remodeling and adaptation of all floors for office use.

– Total change of the glass facade.

– Replacement of elevators.

– Implementation of power generators.

– Implementation of a fire protection system.

– Incorporation of a meeting room on the terrace.

While this building gives life, hope and joy to this traditional Quito neighborhood (San Blas), its occupants will generate policies, strategies and new ways to continue positioning Ecuador in the world as a tourist destination that offers visitors the opportunity to practice a conscious and sustainable tourism.

MYV