Ulises Toirac regrets the state of the Palace building in Vedado: "While in the background the new vision looms."

The popular Cuban actor and scriptwriter Ulises Toirac lamented on Monday the poor state of the buildings that once showcased the splendor of Havana, which are disintegrating amidst a backdrop of contrasts between destruction and modernity, such as the case of the famous Palace building in Vedado.

From the social network Facebook, the artist shared an image of the structure and highlighted its almost heritage art deco style, which has been experiencing numerous leaks of both water and gas for years.

The property "stands in disrepair while in the background, in all its vigor, the new vision of a Havana that forgets what has made it famous is imposed," wrote the humorist, highlighting the contradiction between the new and the old with new and flamboyant buildings (for tourism).

The current reality of the Palace del Vedado is not a recent development, as neighbors have reported leaks, gas leaks, and other issues.

A few years ago, we suffered from a leak that damages the lobby. According to some people in the building, who at some point reported the situation to housing, the leak is unsolvable, but the damage is already beyond repair," wrote user Katia Suárez Torres on Facebook in 2022, alarmed that the Palace, located on the corner of 25th and G, could become a tragedy like the Hotel Saratoga.

Since that moment, Suarez noted that it is incomprehensible that the authorities do not take care of solving these problems and do not provide the neighbors with a coherent explanation about the origin of the water that runs through walls and ceilings. "It is sad to see how the only roof you have for your family is destroyed thanks to the irresponsibility of some neighbors and the lack of response from those in charge of addressing this issue. I need answers and more than that, I need a solution," he added.

Toirac's publication resumed the issue of the Palace and once again laid on the table the conditions of the Caribbean nation's housing stock, which has been in decline for decades and has filled the headlines in recent days with the partial collapses of twenty buildings in the "Wonder City," due to heavy rains.

The downpours have damaged infrastructures that suffer from a lack of maintenance, a nonexistent investment process in the residential sector, and overcrowding that has forced families to divide spaces, often in an improvised manner.

On the other hand, hotels like Torre K are rising smoothly, with its management being handled by the Spanish company Iberostar. It stands at a height of 154 meters, has 42 floors, and a total of 565 rooms that will hold a five-star rating.

This project is in line with the government's programs that in 2023, for example, invested more in the development of tourism than in social, health, and education infrastructures, a fact that has already become common practice.