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On april 25, 2023, as the sun set on the horizon, the vibrant heart of Porta Norte was born: Plaza Panama. This milestone for Grupo Colonias, inaugurated during an emotional ceremony that brought together partners, family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and distinguished figures from across the country, marked the beginning of a new era. More than just a space, Plaza Panama is the city’s first public space—an epicenter of life, business, and enjoyment—set to become a guiding beacon for the future of urban living.
At the vibrant beginning of our new city, the inauguration of Plaza Panama at Porta Norte stands out as an unforgettable milestone. Meticulously orchestrated by the Grupo Colonias team, this event not only symbolizes a new chapter, but also faithfully reflects the spirit and character of Porta Norte.
The event unfolded as a kaleidoscope of emotions and insights. We enthusiastically shared the recent achievements of Phase One and Plaza Panama, while unveiling our ambitious plans for Phase Two, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to transforming community life. With a sense of pride that was almost tangible, we introduced the new Porta Norte brand identity, a logo that stands as a testament to our vision. We did not stop there; we also outlined our efforts to forge strategic partnerships with neighboring projects across key areas—Institutional, Environmental, Social, and Marketing.
Alongside us, standing as steady anchors in this sea of change, were Henry Faarup Mauad, President of Grupo Colonias and Co-Founder of Porta Norte; Henry Faarup Humbert, General Manager of Grupo Colonias and also Co-Founder of Porta Norte; and Alfredo Motta, Commercial Director of Porta Norte. Before we delve into the words they shared during the event…
Plaza Panama, the first public space within our master-planned community, is more than a 1,800-square-meter development; it is a canvas that celebrates Panamanian culture and identity, an inclusive and welcoming space for all.
The crown jewel of the plaza is the Retreta de la Musica, a structure conceived not only as a venue for events, but also as a cultural beacon. This space serves as the ideal setting to celebrate the richness and diversity of our culture outdoors, hosting concerts, theater performances, talks, and other live expressions.
Retretas—traditional gazebos—are the heart of many communities across Panama, serving as gathering places for cultural events and celebrations. At Porta Norte, we embrace this tradition and make it our own.
Our Retreta, with its six white columns that evoke colonial architecture, mosaic- and clay-adorned steps, tiled roofing, and wooden eaves, is an ode to the Retreta of Plaza de la Independencia in Casco Viejo. A blend of past and future, of tradition and innovation.
Plaza Panama is proud to be home to the most prominent flag in Panama Norte, a work meticulously crafted by the hands of the Instituto Panameño de Habilitación Especial (IPHE). Flying majestically atop an aluminum mast rising over 15 meters high, this flag stands as a visible beacon for all who travel along the new Via Panama Norte.
But Plaza Panama is much more than the Retreta de la Musica and our flag waving in the wind. It is further enhanced by a series of elements that add to its character and charm. Strategically placed concrete benches not only provide comfortable seating, but also offer a sense of shelter for visitors. These benches are complemented by planters featuring carefully selected species such as Sansevieria trifasciata, commonly known as “mother-in-law’s tongue,” and Catharanthus roseus, known locally as “Chavelitas.”
Additionally, we have incorporated traditionally designed lanterns that enhance the character of the plaza. These luminaires, with their colonial-inspired aesthetic, rise to 3.5 meters, with an additional 0.5-meter fixture, reaching a total height of 4 meters.
We have planted more than 10 large-canopy trees throughout the plaza, each carefully selected not only to enhance the landscape, but also to provide meaningful environmental benefits. Among these green giants are the resilient oak, bitter cedar, guachapali, majestic mahogany, and the iconic Panama tree. Standing as living monuments, these trees will create a cool, shaded environment throughout the year. They are joined by 20 Pithecellobium dulces trees that frame the plaza, adding even more color and character to this urban oasis.
The raising of our grand Panama flag in the plaza represents far more than a civic act; it symbolizes the firm commitment of the Grupo Colonias team to building a new city—a thoughtfully designed and planned community with a strong focus on human well-being.
This historic moment was shared with distinguished ladies: Liz Marie Faarup, Jaqueline Faarup, Gloria Delgado, Tere Dominguez, Rebecca Santacoloma de Rojas Pardini, Myrna Rojas Pardini, and Liz Humbe
Adding a layer of solemnity and spiritual significance to the event, we were honored by the presence of Father Manuel Villarreal, who blessed our flag, underscoring the importance of values and faith in the foundation of a strong and united community. The celebration concluded with the performance of the national anthem by the prestigious musical band of Centro Educativo Monseñor Francisco Beckmann of Panama Norte, a fitting tribute to the nation.
Let us step back to Sunday, December 20, 1903, at Plaza de Francia in Panama, where our independence heroes celebrated the baptism of the flag of the newly born Republic. At Porta Norte, we pay tribute to that transcendent moment by inaugurating a striking plaza that embodies our urban vision and seeks to revive the charm of the neighborhood—an atmosphere that has gradually faded over time—guided by the principles of New Urbanism.
Our ambitious project in Porta Norte, co-created with renowned architect Andres Duany, opens a gateway of opportunities for developers of all sizes to join and contribute to this thriving community. We are committed to building a complete city—one that integrates residential, educational, professional, institutional, healthcare, and recreational components. The invaluable support of the Rojas Pardini family, real estate developers, and Banco General has been a fundamental pillar in the growth and success of this vibrant district.
The appeal of the real estate projects surrounding Porta Norte has captivated all who have joined us along the way. We extend our gratitude to the Rojas Pardini family, our partners, and the area’s real estate developers, with whom we have formed the group known as Ciudad Panama Norte, with the mission of showcasing this thriving district and its advantages at a national level.
oday, on this historic day, we raise the flag for the first time in the vibrant plaza of Porta Norte. The vision of the plaza is woven together with the principles and values of the founding fathers, as together we build a promising future. This space will become a gathering place for future generations—a place where history, present, and future coexist. Porta Norte is home to a higher quality of life and the stage where our vision comes to life.
Dear guests, it is an honor to have you with us on such a special day. My gratitude extends first to my wife, Gloria, who, in her 37th week of pregnancy, could have made me a father on this very date. To her, and to my mother-in-law, I extend my sincere thanks for their unwavering support during this exciting chapter of our lives.
Today, we gather to celebrate the fruits of our tireless work in Porta Norte, and my heart is filled with gratitude toward all who have contributed to this project. We have journeyed through a path marked by significant milestones—from the Charrette and the First Groundbreaking, to the resumption of construction after the pandemic and the planting of the First Tree. Today, we celebrate the long-awaited inauguration of Plaza Panama.
During Phase One, we achieved significant progress in the development of Boulevard Panama, Boulevard Porta Norte, and Avenida La Union. We brought Plaza Panama and Parque de los Guayacanes to life, and integrated the beauty of nature into the design through trees and landscaping. With the establishment of a university as a focal point of the project, along with the promotion of residential and commercial lots, we have sustained steady growth.
Today, we are filled with excitement as we inaugurate Plaza Panama, a place where every detail has been designed with care and dedication. I extend my sincere gratitude to Ricardo Arosemena, Edward McGrath, and Derpet for their invaluable contribution to the creation of this remarkable space. I invite you to enjoy its many features: the comfortable ergonomic benches, the majesty of the Panama flag, the charming Retreta, the artistic mosaics, and the lush trees. And remember, you are always welcome to join us for future events and to enjoy the WiFi connectivity available throughout the plaza.
With a palpable sense of excitement, we unveil today Phase Two of Porta Norte, a project that places strong emphasis on the creation of dynamic and welcoming residential communities. This next stage, unfolding along the scenic Maria Prieta River and Quebrada Mariposa, promises a diverse range of homes and apartments, as well as engaging public spaces, like the one that hosts us today. Having embraced the lessons of Phase One, and with a firm commitment to building the Maria Bridge and Plaza Fundadores, we are excited to present sophisticated and attractive residential and commercial options in this new phase, one filled with promise.
Distinguished guests, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for being here on such a special day. Today, I am blessed to be surrounded by accomplished and outstanding individuals like you, who stand as living proof that Panamanians are capable of achieving great things. On behalf of the entire Porta Norte team, I thank you for your presence, which fills us with joy and makes us feel truly honored.
Today, I stand before you not only as a lot owner and partner, but also as the Commercial Director of Porta Norte, a role I assumed five months ago. This triple responsibility reflects my commitment and dedication to this project.
At Porta Norte, we believe in healthy competition and in the strength that comes from unity. For this reason, it is a pleasure to welcome our valued neighbors from Green Valley, Green City, and North Town. Together, we represent approximately 2,000 hectares of land for development. By leveraging our shared vision, we have established an alliance for the benefit of our residents and clients, engaging the firm Neology—led by Miky Fabrega and Aidalis Porras—to collaborate on matters of mutual interest. From this collaboration emerged the idea of forming Panama Norte City.
Panama Norte is built upon four strategic areas of work defined through structuring and strategy workshops. First, marketing and communications will play a fundamental role in attracting and informing the public about Panama Norte. We are also working closely on institutional relations and urban planning to ensure high-quality public services, including potable water, electricity, internet connectivity, road infrastructure, and security.
In addition, we are committed to environmental protection by caring for river basins, implementing recycling programs, and preserving the area’s flora and fauna. Finally, we maintain a strong focus on social responsibility and human development, working in areas such as education, sports, arts, and other initiatives that will benefit the communities surrounding Panama Norte.
Regarding the identity of Porta Norte, we are proud to present our new brand image. Porta Norte’s identity was developed by top-tier professionals in Panama and the United States. Through both digital and in-person surveys, we identified the core elements that represent Porta Norte: nature, walkable urbanism, colonial architecture, and well-being and health.
To embody these elements, we created a shield that symbolizes the strength, security, sense of belonging, nobility, and permanence that define our city. The shield features elegant and restrained elements such as a tree, wide sidewalks, columns with capitals, and a colonial arched doorway. In addition, we incorporated the letter “N,” representing north in the cardinal points, the purpose and direction of our city, and our location in the north of Panama. And now, with great pride, I present to you our new corporate identity:
Finally, I would like to extend an invitation to each of you to join this great dream that has now become a reality. This area will undoubtedly experience exceptional growth and value appreciation within Panama City and across the country. The time to invest is now, and we invite you to be part of this success—to share in its rewards and to feel the pride of being among the Panamanians who believe in and trust our nation.
