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There are events that mark important moments and leave their mark on people’s lives. Just as a person celebrates life milestones such as a birth, a birthday, and spiritual ceremonies. Real estate projects also celebrate milestones that mark their history and fill everyone with memories. The groundbreaking ceremony is one of these milestones, and it was a masterful event.
It’s been a month since that memorable moment, and we want to tell you about what we experienced.
Like any important event, the Grupo Colonias team had spent a long time planning every detail to ensure everything was perfect. A great deal of effort, dedication, and heart had been put into making the event memorable for all the guests. We wanted to throw a celebration that was different and true to Porta Norte’s style, reflecting the project’s personality and vibe.
At 7:30 a.m., the first guests began to arrive, even tho the invitation said the event started at 8:00 a.m. It was a surprise to us because, as Panamanians know, punctuality isn’t something that’s common in our culture. We then had the pleasure of chatting and mingling with the guests before the event formally began.
Everyone was amazed at how easy and quick it was to get to Porta Norte. The turnout exceeded our expectations; it was a huge success! Additionally, all the guests were amazed by the scale of the development taking place in the Panamá Norte area, the capital’s new growth hub.
It’s been a month since that memorable moment, and we want to tell you about what we experienced.
Like any important event, the Grupo Colonias team had spent a long time planning every detail to ensure everything was perfect. A great deal of effort, dedication, and heart had been put into making the event memorable for all the guests. We wanted to throw a celebration that was different and true to Porta Norte’s style, reflecting the project’s personality and vibe.
At 7:30 a.m., the first guests began to arrive, even tho the invitation said the event started at 8:00 a.m. It was a surprise to us because, as Panamanians know, punctuality isn’t something that’s common in our culture. We then had the pleasure of chatting and mingling with the guests before the event formally began.
Porta Norte partners welcoming President Nito Cortizo and Minister of Public Works Rafael Sabonge.
The event was held in an open-sided covered structure so that everyone could appreciate the scale of the construction. We greeted everyone with a Panama hat to help them get into character (we had 150 and ran out before the speeches even began—everyone wanted their own Panama hat!). We also had a Lavazza coffee station, a mixologist serving refreshing drinks, a cart with Lung Fung’s iconic Chinese breakfast, and, to create the urban vibe we want to develop, a food truck serving freshly made Panamanian breakfast bites for everyone’s enjoyment.
For Grupo Colonias, Ciudad Porta Norte represents an evolution in the history of Panama City, where the first city was what we now know as Panamá Viejo. Then the city moved to where the Casco Antiguo is, and today we’re moving it to Ciudad Porta Norte. With this, we will make the city evolve once again, reviving those bygone values and the sense of neighborhood and community among residents thru the concept of New Urbanism that guides the project. We put pedestrians first, developing multiple public spaces and creating a diverse, mixed-use city with a close connection to nature. That’s why we call Porta Norte “The New Casco Viejo.”
Minister Rafael Sabonge, Henry Faarup Humbert, Rolando Domingo, President Nito Cortizo, Henry Faarup Mauad, Diego de Obaldía.
To convey this idea, we partnered for this event with Diego de Obaldía—creator of the Panamanian musical 1903—who was very excited about the project when we shared our concept, since we share the vision of highlighting Panama’s legacy. Diego gave a few words at the beginning of the ceremony, along with a video in which he spoke about his support for the project.
Juliette Roy as Maria Ossa de Amador, Diego de Obaldía as Phillipe Buneau-Varilla, and Leonte Bordanea as Manuel Amador Guerrero.
Throughout the event, we had the virtual presence of María Ossa de Amador, Manuel Amador Guerrero, and Philippe Bunau-Varilla, who invited people to learn more about this project that reminds them of the values and feelings they experienced at the birth of our nation.
Then, the most excellent President of the Republic of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen, delivered a few heartfelt words:
They both delighted us with their speeches, and we want to share them with you, since they were also dedicated to all of you.
You can find the full speeches at the end of the article. 👇
Minister Rafael Sabonge, Henry Faarup Humbert, President Nito Cortizo, Eng. Henry Faarup Mauad, Ramiro Rojas Pardini.
After President Laurentino Cortizo’s remarks, they were invited to step up to the podium, where a button was connected directly to the concrete truck. The President gave us the honor of starting the truck, which then began pouring concrete, thus formally launching the construction of the streets in Ciudad Porta Norte.
To reach this point in the project’s progress, we have moved 1.2 million cubic meters—the same amount of earth that was moved to build the Amador Causeway. We have also buried the sanitary, stormwater, potable water, electricity, and communications networks. Now, with this first concrete pour comes everything that will be visible at a glance: the streets with their bike lanes, enormous sidewalks, plazas, and lush trees. Now comes the good part, the part you can enjoy.
How exciting to see six years of hard work coming to fruition!
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their grain of sand to building Porta Norte.
After the ceremony ended, you could see the enthusiasm and joy of the people. Ciudad Porta Norte is a unique project that lifts the spirits of everyone who hears about it. We were fortunate to continue sharing with several of the guests who requested tours to get an in-depth look at the project, and they were amazed by the surroundings and the scale of the undertaking.
The pouring of dry concrete. The streets of Ciudad Porta Norte are being torn up.
With this letter, we want to thank everyone involved in making this dream a reality. To our partners, the Rojas Pardini family, for becoming part of ours. To all our clients and future clients for believing in us. To all the project workers who dedicate their time day after day to make it a reality. To everyone who helped us set up the event. To our families for all their support, and finally, thank you to all Panamanians and residents of Panama. It is because of you that we dream and find inspiration to create the most innovative and comprehensive project in the country and the region—a city that provides the quality of life that ALL Panamanians deserve.
Porta Norte is a city for everyone.
More than a team, the Grupo Colonias family.
Thanks!
If you want to see more photos from the event, you can access our photo gallery by clicking here.Si quieres ver más fotos del evento, puedes acceder a nuestra galería de fotos haciendo click aquí.
Eng. Henry Faarup Mauad.
The Rojas Pardini family and the Faarup family.
In 2014, I returned from representing my country as Panama’s Ambassador to France. Upon arriving, we met with the beloved Rojas Pardini family and discussed doing something good for Panama thru a real estate development, and we joined forces.
Together, we envisioned creating Porta Norte, a modern colonial city focused on enabling people to enjoy an active life, rich in culture, and closely connected to nature. We’re used to connecting with nature and rivers two hours away, but here it’s just ten minutes from the city center.
Plaza Fundadores, Porta Norte
The launch of Ciudad Porta Norte took place at the American Trade Hotel in 2015. There, our beloved President was present. Who would have thot that after five years I would have the honor of breaking ground on Ciudad Porta Norte as President of the Republic. Right now you see the street, but sometimes people don’t realize that to get to this point, the most difficult work has been done: all the earthmoving—more than 1.2 million cubic meters of soil—as well as the sanitary, stormwater, water supply, electrical, and communications pipelines. All of that is already installed. Now we’re going to start the street and pour the first batch of concrete.
In Ciudad Porta Norte, we recognize that it is important to revive neighborhood life. That which has been lost over the years. That’s why we’ve decided to focus on creating public spaces that can be filled with life, since they are where a city’s culture flourishes. That’s why today we have the cast of the famous musical 1903 and its director, Diego de Obaldía. This is to symbolize our commitment to culture, our history, and the Panamanian legacy. As you’ve already noticed, we like to do things differently.
Ciudad Porta Norte will be built on a 262-hectare site. It will have an investment of approximately $500 million. There will be spaces for small, medium, and large developers to join this new community. They will be able to leave their mark. As in a true city, it needs to be filled with residential, educational, employment, institutional, healthcare, hospitality, and recreational components. In this regard, we are proud to announce that, when you least expect it, construction will begin on Market Plaza Porta Norte, a unique shopping center that will become an icon in the area.
On the way to Porta Norte, they have been amazed by the construction of this new development hub. With the infrastructure and communities that provide quality of life to thousands of Panamanian families. Notable infrastructure projects include the majestic Vía Panamá Norte and the completion of Metro Line 2. This has facilitated mobility for thousands of Panamanians, helping them spend more time with their families, and has had a direct effect on reducing vehicular traffic.
Likewise, large-scale residential projects such as Paseo del Norte, Green City, Green Valley, La Foresta, and the Shahani family’s future development are under construction. All of them have our beloved Panama Golf Club as their neighbor.
Moreover, without us even realizing it, this sector has become the country’s most important educational hub, home to more than 15 schools of the highest academic caliber.
Engineer Henry Faarup Mauad addressing the President.
Observing everything that is happening, I would like to address you, Mr. President. The Government of Panama is the country’s greatest promoter, and its leadership rests with you. You are our leader; show us the way. Rest assured that the developers and entrepreneurs present here will follow you.
We believe in Panama. We are investing to help this great train, which represents the country’s development, pick up speed. Let’s work together to guide it toward a better Panama for all.
It is worth emphasizing the tremendous resilience that Panamanians possess. We must continue to be like this and remain the region’s development hub. To that end, we must all think big. We must open our borders; we have to open them to good people. Let’s revive our global position as the Hub of the Americas and as a tourism and retirement destination. Panama is a country that has it all. Believe me, it’s true: people who come here don’t want to leave.
With this first shovelful, we reaffirm our commitment to our homeland, setting an example for the young entrepreneurs present here to renew their social contribution to the nation. Likewise, we want to reaffirm our confidence in the National Government. This groundbreaking is a key milestone for Ciudad Porta Norte, for the growth of this new development hub, and for realizing the ideal quality of life for its future residents.
Thanks.
President Laurentino Cortizo Cohen
Good morning to each and every one of you. I did indeed bring some words… but I’m not going to use them. First, I want to thank Henry Faarup, but especially your son, because when you were talking about him, you didn’t realize it, but I was almost about to hand you a handkerchief because you were drooling. That pride, from father to son, I’m sure is reciprocated from son to father as well. I congratulate you. Just like the Rojas Pardini family. We’re talking about a combination of partners, friends, brothers, and I’m sure others as well, who form a great brotherhood in a project of this nature.
I am honored to be here as President of the Republic. I always refer to myself as the country’s first worker, because these positions are temporary.
Indeed, five years ago—I think it was in August—José Alejandro Rojas said to me, “Hey, let’s go to the American Trade; there’s an interesting project,” and I said, “Okay, I want to go.”
That’s where I first learned about the concept of this project; even some designers and visionaries came and explained it, and it’s completely different from anything we’ve seen in this country.
This is a completely different project. This isn’t just coming from a president, because before I was president, our family—my family, even I—was the general manager of a construction-related company. It’s still our company; I don’t mean to be here promoting it, but it just so happens that this project, among those I was assigned, was one I visited frequently. This time I’m just going to visit it now and take a tour that I promised Henry to see how the project is progressing.
This is a $500 million investment project; it’s an extremely important project. As well as other projects that are about to issue the notice to proceed, such as Metro Line 3, a .4 billion project. There are no more claims. The claims ended yesterday. A bond of 10% of the project value was required, so it was difficult.
Projects like this are what show us Panamanians that this is indeed a great country, and we as Panamanians need to realize that this is a great country.
It can’t be that we—in my particular case—have been receiving CEOs from different companies, and when they sit at my desk in the presidency, I listen to them and they tell me about a great Panama. Of a Panama with great land and sea connectivity. About the benefits that Panama has. Of the decisions they made. Companies like Procter & Gamble expanding their operations in Panama and bringing executives from Puerto Rico, or Glaxo from Brazil, who are already here in Costa del Este.
When you hear all these CEOs and investors, including their testimonies at Davos—like the one from Nestlé and others giving public accounts of what’s here in Panama—I say, “Wow!” Indeed, this is a great country. This is a country where what we need are actions like those of Ciudad Porta Norte.
We need a government that acts as a facilitator. It’s not enough to just say it facilitates; it has to be demonstrated with actions. It’s a government that, in seven months, has met many times with all the unions. With a president—many of you have my cell phone—and within a day or two, you know perfectly well that at 11 p.m. or 5:30 a.m., it’s Nito Cortizo who answers, not some assistant; it’s Nito Cortizo.
A government, because Henry was clear, shows the way. The path is to be a facilitator, to be willing to ask them, “What do you need?” But make sure it’s done right. It’s a government that tells those coming from abroad and those already here, “NOTHING UNDER THE TABLE!” or “EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE!”
That’s why today, since yesterday, we have the amendment to the reform of the Public Procurement Law, which I’ve been following closely. I’ve spent between five and six hours on that reform. It’s already in the Assembly. Among the changes is that the free-for-all of complaints is over. No more indefinite claims. Only two claims, and on the second one a bond of 10% of the contract value. We can’t tolerate the lax handling of claims at the expense of the public, like what’s happening with the Colón prison—more than 1,080 days behind schedule since the first bidding process—or the children’s hospital, etc., etc., etc.
The playing field must be level for everyone: business and society. So I end by saying to you: I am honored by your presence, by your invitation, and by your effort and perseverance. It was five years ago.
We are here today to formally launch a project that, in effect, is different, very different. This is a project that, I have no doubt, will be successful and will serve as a benchmark not only for Panama but for the entire region.
I congratulate you and you can count on the government of Nito Cortizo to be an ally of good investments.
Thanks.
