On April 15th, 2025, a preliminary technical report was released regarding the structural collapse of the well-known Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, on April 8th, when part of the roof caved in during the night. The report, led by civil engineer Piter J. Bonilla, provides initial insights into what went wrong.
According to the report, the building that housed Jet Set was originally constructed as a movie theater back in the 60s or 70s. These types of buildings were designed with large, open spaces and no internal columns, relying instead on massive concrete beams spanning up to 25 meters. While great for watching films, this design turned out to be problematic once the building was converted into a nightclub.
Over the years, many heavy systems were added to the roof: industrial air conditioners, generators, water tanks, and transformers. These additions were not part of the original structure and placed huge stress on the building—around 4,000 kg of extra weight in the central area alone. Combine that with constant vibrations from sound systems, mechanical equipment, and years of water leakage and humidity, and the result was a slow, silent weakening of the entire structure.
The report points out that the structure was likely deteriorating for years. There were probably visible signs like cracks, sagging areas, and water stains that went unnoticed or unaddressed. Over time, all these issues worked together to reduce the strength of the concrete and cause fatigue in the support beams. Eventually, it all gave out.
Among the report's recommendations are stronger rules for converting old buildings for new purposes, regular structural inspections, and proper drainage systems to prevent water from pooling on rooftops. It also suggests that regulations should require structural reviews when installing heavy equipment on aging buildings.
This report is still preliminary. Final conclusions will depend on further investigation and material testing, but it offers a clear warning: buildings may hide dangerous flaws for years until something breaks. And when it breaks, it can be catastrophic.
For expats and locals alike, this should be a wake-up call about safety in public spaces, especially older structures that have been heavily modified without updated engineering assessments, specially if you're acquiring a property in an old building.
We've attached the report for those of you who are curious to dive in (It's written in Spanish).
For legal consultation on liability prevention in the Dominican Republic, contact Cifré Gil Law Firm:
📞 Phone: +1 (809) 944-0761
✉️ Email: contacto@cifregil.com
According to the report, the building that housed Jet Set was originally constructed as a movie theater back in the 60s or 70s. These types of buildings were designed with large, open spaces and no internal columns, relying instead on massive concrete beams spanning up to 25 meters. While great for watching films, this design turned out to be problematic once the building was converted into a nightclub.
Over the years, many heavy systems were added to the roof: industrial air conditioners, generators, water tanks, and transformers. These additions were not part of the original structure and placed huge stress on the building—around 4,000 kg of extra weight in the central area alone. Combine that with constant vibrations from sound systems, mechanical equipment, and years of water leakage and humidity, and the result was a slow, silent weakening of the entire structure.
The report points out that the structure was likely deteriorating for years. There were probably visible signs like cracks, sagging areas, and water stains that went unnoticed or unaddressed. Over time, all these issues worked together to reduce the strength of the concrete and cause fatigue in the support beams. Eventually, it all gave out.
Among the report's recommendations are stronger rules for converting old buildings for new purposes, regular structural inspections, and proper drainage systems to prevent water from pooling on rooftops. It also suggests that regulations should require structural reviews when installing heavy equipment on aging buildings.
This report is still preliminary. Final conclusions will depend on further investigation and material testing, but it offers a clear warning: buildings may hide dangerous flaws for years until something breaks. And when it breaks, it can be catastrophic.
For expats and locals alike, this should be a wake-up call about safety in public spaces, especially older structures that have been heavily modified without updated engineering assessments, specially if you're acquiring a property in an old building.
We've attached the report for those of you who are curious to dive in (It's written in Spanish).
For legal consultation on liability prevention in the Dominican Republic, contact Cifré Gil Law Firm:
📞 Phone: +1 (809) 944-0761
✉️ Email: contacto@cifregil.com
