Anacaona 27

[PICHARDO]

The engineering, construction and real estate company Rodriguez Sandoval in the Dominican Republic has a reputation for building residential luxury towers that push the envelope. With their latest project Anacaona 27, an intelligent, LEED -Certified Green building located in one of the most exclusive areas of Santo Domingo, they were aiming to create a new level of luxury and advanced technology never seen before in the Caribbean. Rodriguez Sandoval hired JRDG to create the building's communications strategy, the logo, collateral materials and website.
Anacaona 27 will be the tallest building in the Dominican Republic.

 

[belmont]

Looks like another Dominican fire trap. Live above the third floor anywhere in the DR and you are living on borrowed time. Although the buildings may be constructed with fire resistant materials, Dominicans load the interiors with lots of flammables. Combine that with an antiquated fire service, you are waiting for a disaster. If you live too high to jump, jump anyway, it's better than burning.

 

[PICHARDO]

Looks like another Dominican fire trap. Live above the third floor anywhere in the DR and you are living on borrowed time. Although the buildings may be constructed with fire resistant materials, Dominicans load the interiors with lots of flammables. Combine that with an antiquated fire service, you are waiting for a disaster. If you live too high to jump, jump anyway, it's better than burning.

Most apartments in the DR are built with real walls in between them! If one catches on fire, the smoke and heat is about all that's transferred from one floor to the other.

You'll lose the furnishings but hardly your life in those!

Now, the new type of constructions being done in some parts like the tourist traps and some others in the city are employing a lot of light materials used in the US, which are far less effective in containing fires from spreading.

Most fires in the DR happen in commercial places, where four walls and a roof is the only thing stopping a fire from spreading inside the structures to the outside (if when).

 

[belmont]

If one catches on fire, the smoke and heat is about all that's transferred from one floor to another..

My point exactly. 90+% of fire fatalities are due to inhalation of smoke and toxins. I have yet to see a building in the DR where fire doors aren't left open. No preventive inspections + no enforcement of violations + no effective fire service= a disaster waiting to happen. Unless you have been in a high-rise above a fire floor, you have no appreciation of what hell is like. Ask any FDNY firefighter.

 

[nyc dad]

pretty safe

My point exactly. 90+% of fire fatalities are due to inhalation of smoke and toxins. I have yet to see a building in the DR where fire doors aren't left open. No preventive inspections + no enforcement of violations + no effective fire service= a disaster waiting to happen. Unless you have been in a high-rise above a fire floor, you have no appreciation of what hell is like. Ask any FDNY firefighter.

With all due respect belmont,Pich is correct.Even if you are next door to an apartment in a fireproof structure like the one above,you are pretty safe

 

[Robert]

I have never seen a 3+ floor building burn down in the DR in the past 15 years.

I believe "Naco 2000" building was the first to install sprinklers and dedicated fire escape in a residential building, that was 12 years ago. Since then, I have seen plenty with separate fire escapes, water hydrants on each level etc, although it's not the norm in smaller buildings.

 

[nyc dad]

interesting

I have never seen a 3+ floor building burn down in the DR in the past 15 years.

I believe "Naco 2000" building was the first to install sprinklers and dedicated fire escape in a residential building, that was 12 years ago. Since then, I have seen plenty with separate fire escapes, water hydrants on each level etc, although it's not the norm in smaller buildings.

Roberto,I know exactly what you meant by hydrant on each floor,they are actually called standpipe outlets,technically,yes,a hydrant(water source).The reason why it's not common on smaller building is because the rule of thumb is,any building over 75 feet in height,should have a standpipe,generally they are fireproof too,so no need for fire escapes.In response to Belmont, spent a few hours with the bomberos in SD,and let me tell you,they are ready to go,old equipment or not.Their curriculum almost matches exactly the one from the fdny.And let's not forget,firemen improvise on the fly,moreover,these are Dominican firefighters,they are used to doing more with less.

Respectfully

Juan.

 

[PICHARDO]

Roberto,I know exactly what you meant by hydrant on each floor,they are actually called standpipe outlets,technically,yes,a hydrant(water source).The reason why it's not common on smaller building is because the rule of thumb is,any building over 75 feet in height,should have a standpipe,generally they are fireproof too,so no need for fire escapes.In response to Belmont, spent a few hours with the bomberos in SD,and let me tell you,they are ready to go,old equipment or not.Their curriculum almost matches exactly the one from the fdny.And let's not forget,firemen improvise on the fly,moreover,these are Dominican firefighters,they are used to doing more with less.

Respectfully

Juan.

I believe they did install sprinkles (apart from about several standpipes as you listed)...

Also the firemen in the DR do a lot more with about nothing in reality... Like their hands and the 100's of people that go to see what's up and are soon "recruited" to help out...

In the DR we're all firemen and Police, EMTs, etc...

It's a need that until provided 100% normally will continue to be as such.

As for firetraps in the DR? Like I said most are commercial buildings and shops...

 

[Randall Bell]

Dear Pichardo,


I can understand why you think it's 'modern' and 'exciting' when things like this get built in DR, but honestly, these things are all just an eyesore. Why do the powers that be want the DR to turn into NY?

This is going to ruin the 'culture' and the village appeal.

I'll take 3 floor classic Dominican edifficios and houses over these ugly 'modern' towers.
Why step all over the local culture in a race to emulate the culture in any nameless faceless city in America?

I guess some people just don't appreciate what they have

 

[PICHARDO]

Dear Pichardo,


I can understand why you think it's 'modern' and 'exciting' when things like this get built in DR, but honestly, these things are all just an eyesore. Why do the powers that be want the DR to turn into NY?

This is going to ruin the 'culture' and the village appeal.

I'll take 3 floor classic Dominican edifficios and houses over these ugly 'modern' towers.
Why step all over the local culture in a race to emulate the culture in any nameless faceless city in America?

I guess some people just don't appreciate what they have

Hardly emulating NY at all... The architecture and size of about all of the new towers getting done or built in the country as a whole. let alone SD, are far too small and different to anything built in NYC to emulate in any degree at all...

The need for vertical growth has more to do with the rising value of land and RE, more so in SD.

The trend will continue to be higher as RE rates climb each year and developers increase their purchase power/projects undertaking.

NYC didn't start looking up until prices for RE also took a sky path...

It's a normal thing with developing cities...

I think the way buildings are designed in SD and the rest of the country, is far more in keeping with our country than a NYC mimic.

 

[Barnabe]

The need for vertical growth has more to do with the rising value of land and RE, more so in SD.

The trend will continue to be higher as RE rates climb each year and developers increase their purchase power/projects undertaking.

Although I am not familiar with that type of building (I wish I would), I think high rise buildings make it possible to offer the tenants more services (pool, valet service,..) with mantenimiento rates under control, or not??

Now, I wouldn't like to be up there during an earthquake, be it minor on scale.

Barnab?

 

[Jumbo]

What type of earthquake proofing do these new and improved towers being built in SD have. I know this project is high tech but what about others shooting up in the capital? Sounds like SD might turn into a big row of dominos.

 

[belmont]

Roberto,I know exactly what you meant by hydrant on each floor,they are actually called standpipe outlets,technically,yes,a hydrant(water source).The reason why it's not common on smaller building is because the rule of thumb is,any building over 75 feet in height,should have a standpipe,generally they are fireproof too,so no need for fire escapes.In response to Belmont, spent a few hours with the bomberos in SD,and let me tell you,they are ready to go,old equipment or not.Their curriculum almost matches exactly the one from the fdny.And let's not forget,firemen improvise on the fly,moreover,these are Dominican firefighters,they are used to doing more with less.

Respectfully

Juan.

I too have spent time with SD bomberos and have never criticized their dedication or their personal abilities. Their limitations by equipment and infrastructure is another matter.
You noted all highrise buildings have standpipes. Are you aware the Dominican fire code only requires dry standpipes. There is no water until an engine hooks up at the street and charges the sysrem. That has two pitfalls in the DR. There mustbe adequate water available from street hydrants and the engine must capacity to pump water up to highest level of building. Both are iffy in SD. Robert mentions sprinkler systems. These also are dry systems connected to standpipe. No water until firedepartment hooks up. Remember all this is dependant on water company providing a reliable water source (slightly more reliable than the electric company).

As far as fire not spreadingin a fireproof building. I simply refer to the fire on the lowr East side of NYC last week. Fire and smoke traveled up the building from window to window. Top 4 floors became involved.

It's all fun and games until we read the headline on DR1: "50 people perish in SD highrise fire, bomberos had no water to fight 15th floor fire."

 

[Criss Colon]

More "Public Relations SPAM" from Pichardo.
Thanks for listing all the "Principals".
How much are you getting paid!
Your "knowledge" about "Building Fires" is equal to your knowledge of "Real Estate Values" in the DR!
Go see Robert's "Pretty Pictures" from "CRAP CANA".
Nice to see what it's really like here!
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[nyc dad]

I too have spent time with SD bomberos and have never criticized their dedication or their personal abilities. Their limitations by equipment and infrastructure is another matter.
You noted all highrise buildings have standpipes. Are you aware the Dominican fire code only requires dry standpipes. There is no water until an engine hooks up at the street and chargees the sysrem. That has two pitfalls in the DR. There mustbe adequate water available from street hydrants and the engine must capacity to pump water up to highest level of building. Both are iffy in SD. Robert mentions sprinkler systems. These also are dry systems connected to standpipe. No water until firedepartment hooks up. Remember all this is dependant on water company providing a reliable water source (slightly more reliable than the electric company).

As far as fire not spreadingin a fireproof building. I simply refer to the fire on the lowr East side of NYC last week. Fire and smoke traveled up the building from window to window. Top 4 floors became involved.

It's all fun and games until we read the headline on DR1: "50 people perish in SD highrise fire, bomberos had no water to fight 15th floor fire."

I never thought or stated that you criticized them.No,I'm not aware of the fire code in SD belm,but I haven't noticed any water towers to supply the system,so I can definitely agree on your point.One would think that since DR is so Americanized,the buildings would be built to American standards.

 

[Criss Colon]

"ONE",would be Wrong!
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[Randall Bell]

Pichardo --



When I think of DR, I think of buildings that look like this:

Believe it or not, this has culture. It's unique. It's clearly DR.

When I see a building like the building below, I don't think of DR. I think of any other horrible city in the United States...

This building will not be built for the people of DR. The average Dominican won't be living in these places. It's the 'elite'. And I feel it's a shame and sad that the so called 'elite' are rushing to throw their own culture away to live in a place more 'avanzado' - which in their mind means, the elevator has 30+ stories.

Sad

 

[frank recktenwald]

Pichardo --



When I think of DR, I think of buildings that look like this:

Believe it or not, this has culture. It's unique. It's clearly DR.

When I see a building like the building below, I don't think of DR. I think of any other horrible city in the United States...

This building will not be built for the people of DR. The average Dominican won't be living in these places. It's the 'elite'. And I feel it's a shame and sad that the so called 'elite' are rushing to throw their own culture away to live in a place more 'avanzado' - which in their mind means, the elevator has 30+ stories.

Sad

What culture?

 

[PICHARDO]

Pichardo --



When I think of DR, I think of buildings that look like this:



Believe it or not, this has culture. It's unique. It's clearly DR.

When I see a building like the building below, I don't think of DR. I think of any other horrible city in the United States...



This building will not be built for the people of DR. The average Dominican won't be living in these places. It's the 'elite'. And I feel it's a shame and sad that the so called 'elite' are rushing to throw their own culture away to live in a place more 'avanzado' - which in their mind means, the elevator has 30+ stories.

Sad

Well... The point is that if you want to build a home of three stories, which may fetch some nice $$$, but if you need to pay $$$$$$ just for the lot itself or RE property already there, then it makes all sense to want to maximize the income or resell value potential into $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...

That's where that added looking to the sky reality comes from.

As for elite seeking to live there? Hardly!
If anything the "elite" seeks a super private/remote villa type of setting. Not sharing floors with anybody else. Well... At least aside from the penthouses that is...

As for culture? I think it's reflected more or less in how the designs try not to copy the average or the NYC style towers at all. It's very hard to find two or three towers for that matter that share much in common in SD as of lately. Each new project is remarkably distanced from the last.

Like the Malls, Hotels, etc... There's very little resemblance that can be found about them to each other. Even the Metro stations in the surface are seeing that same effect of uniqueness of sorts.

I think they way the DR is developing we're bound to be enjoying a very nice skyline and very different aspect, away from the canyons and brick dominoes as in NYC and other well known cities around the world.

Torre Caney is so young and yet already to be surpassed as the tallest in the country and all of the Caribbean. Some projects I'd seen lately slated for the country, seem to seek higher and denser aspects than before.

The DR is changing very fast, too fast for some that love that smallness as you and too slow for those that seek to live in the skies above the mortals.

What I know will happen soon, is that a new section (think La Defense in France) will sprout east of the old city and create a contrast of major scale. Huge...


Juan Dolio is only starting to become of importance to locals, let alone foreigners. By the time the new Pinewood Indomina Studios stand up, the changes will be faster and furious to some parts.

Santiago is quickly losing the small and cozy city theme, as more and more projects seek to push denser and higher all around.

 

[PICHARDO]

Pich, in your opinion, what's going to turn into the next large "city" in the DR? Say, 50 years from now.

It took them RD 1.5 billion to move the Naval base out there, already starting to work on the area since last year...

Santo Domingo Este will change dramatically... A lot!!