Summary.
The bill proposes declaring Casa Blanca, the current premises of the French Alliance (Alianza Francesa), immovable tangible cultural heritage of Panama. It identifies the building as the former residence of Arturo Delvalle Henríquez, located at Calle 44 and Avenida Justo Arosemena in the corregimiento (district) of Bella Vista. It states that the house was built between 1924 and 1925 and is among the monumental residences of the original Bella Vista development. The property is further identified as registered property 2104, location code 8706, on lot 84 in the corregimiento of Bella Vista. These particulars identify the building covered by the proposed declaration.
For priority preservation, the bill specifies the building’s original massing and interior spatial arrangement, including its central courtyard. It covers the principal, side, and rear facades, all visible from public space. Protection also extends to its materials, the pattern of openings, ornamental elements, and characteristic construction systems. The bill singles out the main staircase, the design elements of the entrance, and the overall composition of the building. It would allow only interior alterations that are compatible, reversible, and clearly distinguishable, provided they do not change the architectural, historical, and urban values underlying the building’s protection. These conditions govern the kinds of interior work the proposal would permit.
The bill directs the Ministry of Culture (Ministerio de Cultura), acting through the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage (Dirección Nacional de Patrimonio Cultural) and in coordination with the Municipality of Panama (Municipio de Panamá), to adopt the measures needed to protect, conserve, rehabilitate, and enhance Casa Blanca. It places those measures under Municipal Agreement 61 of March 30, 2021, and Law No. 175 of 2020, named in the text as acuerdo Municipal 61 de 30 de marzo de 2021y and Ley N° 175 de 2020. It also instructs the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage, spelled Dirección Nacional de Padrimonio Cultural in that provision, within the Ministry of Culture to enter the building in the State’s official registers of immovable cultural heritage assets under the applicable rules.
As to the property’s use, the bill urges the French Alliance of Panama (Alianza Francesa de Panamá), as owner, to prepare a maintenance and use plan addressing the heritage features to be conserved. The plan would allow uses compatible with the building and its recognized heritage values under the General Culture Law 175 of 2020 (Ley General de Cultura 175 de 2020). The final provision states that the proposed law would take effect upon promulgation. The bill contains no provision amending, adding to, or repealing another law.
The public bodies involved are the Ministry of Culture, the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage, and the Municipality of Panama. The proposal could affect the French Alliance of Panama, those involved in conserving or rehabilitating heritage buildings, and cultural activities conducted at Casa Blanca and in Bella Vista.
What it proposes.
- Declaration of Casa Blanca as immovable tangible cultural heritage.
- Preservation of its architectural features and conditions for interior alterations.
- Protection, registration, maintenance, and compatible use of the property.
Who it would affect.
- Casa Blanca, the current premises of the French Alliance
- Ministry of Culture and its cultural heritage directorate
- Municipality of Panama
- French Alliance of Panama
Key points.
- Proposes declaring Casa Blanca, the French Alliance’s current premises and Arturo Delvalle Henríquez’s former residence in Bella Vista, immovable tangible cultural heritage of Panama.Art. 1
- Identifies the protected property as registered property 2104, location code 8706, on lot 84 in the corregimiento (district) of Bella Vista.Art. 2
- Requires priority preservation of the building’s massing, interior arrangement, facades, and characteristic architectural components, and limits interior alterations to those that are compatible, reversible, and distinguishable.Art. 3
- Directs the Ministry of Culture, through the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage and in coordination with the Municipality of Panama, to adopt measures for protection, conservation, rehabilitation, and enhancement.Art. 4
- Instructs the National Directorate of Cultural Heritage within the Ministry of Culture to enter the property in the State’s official registers of immovable cultural heritage assets.Art. 5
- Urges the French Alliance of Panama, as owner, to prepare a maintenance and use plan that preserves heritage features and permits compatible uses.Art. 6
- Provides that the proposed law would take effect upon promulgation.Art. 7