Arco Properties - Panama Real Estate

Spa Night in Casco

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:22:55 GMT

Part of the lifestyle we enjoy in Casco Antiguo has to do with services that don't break the bank. When the owner of Chateau de Klippers returned to the USA, many of felt a void because it meant driving into the city instead of walking to Calle 9. I finally located three of the people from Klippers and decided to invite a few Casque�os over for a Spa Night. It was such fun. Mario cut our hair while Olga worked non-stop on five sets of fingers and toes. Meanwhile, Isaac was upstairs giving massages. So, when it's time for a bit of pampering, think about throwing your own Spa Night. PS: Last week, a client desperately needed her hair to be done. Mario, even on short notice was able to accommodate. Here's their contact information:

Hair

Mario/6655-2317

Manicure & Pedicures

Olga/6717-6142

Massage

Isaac/6769-7682

Clara Keyes Hardin

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Plaza front restaurant space for sale - $550,000

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:37:58 GMT

In Casco Antiguo, it is very rare when a plaza front commercial space is for sale. If you are an investor looking for prime income property, this could be it. P.H. Montefiori was the first building on Plaza Herrera to be restored (2008), followed by P.H. Casa de la Merced in 2010. Construction on two hotels is scheduled to start this year. The current tenant is popular restaurant. Designed to be an intimate space, the 172m2 consists of a main dining/bar area, an interior patio and mezzanine where the kitchen is currently located. For more information, contact Patrizia or Clara at Arco Properties.

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Casco Antiguo New Sushi Restaurant Opens on Calle Primera

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:05:22 GMT

What's in a name? When you hear the word "Beluga," do you think of a whale? Or maybe caviar comes to mind? Well, the next time you hear "Beluga," think "restaurant." More than a few Casque�os were invited to sample the sushi rolls which are the specialty of owner Roderick's newest restaurant, you guessed it, BELUGA. Formerly Sibaritas on the corner of Avenida A and Calle Primera, the space has taken on an intimate atmosphere with soft lighting, banquet seating. Beluga is open for dinner, maybe we can convince the owner to eventually open for lunch. See you there! Clara

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Casco MTV

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 13:13:45 GMT

Leaving the office late one night last week I was surprised to find myself stepping out into the middle of a music video. Some of our neighbors from Calle 4ta were shooting the video for Shadow's new song, Dejalo Correr. The song talks about violence and its consequences, a pertinent theme for the young men of Calle 4ta who, as former gang members, have the experience-based wisdom to speak about violence and its negative impact on the community with some authority.

Among the locals in the cast and crew were Titi, Nico, G. Ducret, Alvin, Sombra, Pichuli and Javier. The guys seemed to be truly enjoying themselves pretending to be thieves, victims and opposing gang members; who knows, maybe we have some potential homegrown acting talent here in the Casco.

In addition to the music video, Nico says that they are working on starting another longer video that will also focus on the consequences of violence in the neighborhood. To see former gang members dedicate themselves to these videos makes me proud to be a part of the Casco revitalization process.

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Casco stars in a new book by Ken Milburn

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:36:05 GMT

Is it a photo or a painting? That's the question you'll ask yourself as you turn the pages slowly in photographer Ken Milburn's newest book, Panama City's Casco Viejo, Fast Rising Bohemian Community. For fun, try guessing the actual location of the photos, some are easy, others will take awhile, and there will be one that will take an expert to figure out. The majority of the photos were taken with a technique called HDR processing which expands the visible tonal range in a photographic image so it more closely resembles all the shades of brightness and color we are able to see with our eyes.

If you want to see a copy, contact Ken Milburn directly at ken.milburn@gmail.com. The next time I travel, I think I'll slip my copy into the suitcase. When friends ask to see where I live, watching their expressions as they turn the pages will say it all. Thanks Ken for capturing Casco Antiguo's essence.

Clara

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Casco Viejo in Numbers according to AVACA

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 08:14:33 GMT

Casco Viejo, Casco Antiguo
Real Estate Investment
at Panama City�s Historic District

The Casco Antiguo Neighborhood and Friends Association (AVACA, for Asociaci�n de Vecinos y Amigos del Casco Antiguo) is a neighborhood ngo that this month celebrates its first year. For the first time, the community joined hands to work towards issues that development brings to upcoming barrios and to start gathering statistics of its growth.

Recently, El Casque�o published part of this information on a study made about the pace of development. Today, we�ll post some preliminary numbers on the growth of its internal economy. Not a perfect count, but it provides with an important insight on Casco, which started its development in 1997 but it was only by 2005- 2006 when things started to gain momentum. Among the interesting facts are that during 2009, when things went slow because of the economic crisis, Casco Viejo entrepreneurs managed to open about 20 businesses as opposed to only 5 during the previous year.

Number of annual cultural festivals: 4 (Panama Jazz Fest, Music Fest, FAE Theater Fest, Dance Fest)
Number of theaters/ cultural spaces in the Casco: 5
Number of people attending Panama Jazz Fest: 20,000
Number of music students attending Panama Jazz Fest: 830
Number of existing accommodations (hotels, guest houses, youth hostals): 5
Number of beds in Casco Viejo right now: 120 -130
Number of hotels under construction 2010-2011: 6
Number of hotels in plans post 2011: 3
Number of rooms under construction 2010-2011: 254
Cost of Construction: to give you an idea, only Hotel Central reported their project was 20 million. They have about 140 rooms. Unofficial numbers point out that all 6 together (small and big projects) could be around 60 million.

Number of Commercial spaces (restored) and in use in 2009: 90
Number of operating restaurants (San Felipe up to 11th Street): 27
Number of commercial spaces under construction 2010: 13
Number of commercial spaces that will be restaurants: 4
Number of cruise ship passengers visiting Casco (Apr- Oct): 980
Number of tourism- related websites that include photos of Casco in their content: 9 out of 10

Number of ngo`s working in Casco Antiguo: 8
Number of children, women and adolescents that are part of social programs of these 8 ngo`s: 651

Number of restored apartments 2009: 266
Number of apartments being delivered 2010: 43

Not bad for a historic district that is only 3 avenues and 15 streets... Casco Viejo is truly leading Panama as an economic engine and social revitalization that has its own power. Its image is one of the favorite subjects of international reporters who find in Casco Viejo`s historic architecture and mixed community a wonderful story to tell... the story of true Panama and why people should come to explore it.

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Fundacion San Felipe�s annual Art Auction: August 17th

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:42:54 GMT

Panama Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo Panama
Real Estate Investment for sale for rent
At Panama�s Historic District

Fundaci�n San Felipe is one of the oldest ngo`s working in Casco. Although you might not be aware of them, they are located at the San Felipe church and convent, corner of B Avenue and 4th Street, next to Hotel Colombia. Their major responsibility has been to restore and maintain the San Felipe Neri church (which is beautiful inside!) and run programs for children such as theater and even photography courses.

Every year, they hold an important art auction with Latin American painters, of course with a lot of Panamanian produced art. This year, the event will be held at the Marriott, on August 17th, 5:30 p.m. See info below!

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Dreamed apartment at Casco Viejo, Panama

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 14:38:37 GMT

Casco Viejo Panama
Panama Casco Antiguo
Real Estate Investment For Sale, For Rent
at Panama City`s Historic District

I just don`t think there is a corner of this penthouse that doesn`t have a view. It is spacious, but without loosing intimacy, fantastic views without loosing privacy, and many of today`s modern amenities such as pool, parking, elevator, central air and central gas (even a yoga room!)... without leaving Casco Viejo.

Here is a publication we did with the areas we like the most. But frankly, every corner of this 400 mt2 - one level penthouse is great. I could see myself enjoying every morning having breakfast at the terrace and every afternoon watching the night approach over the towers of La Merced Church!

The apartment has two very good bedrooms and a third one that can either be used for a live-in maid or as miscellaneous space. Three full bathrooms. Check this e brochure and tell us what you think!

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Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Casconian Zed Vienol at K Magazine

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:57:33 GMT

Casco Viejo Panama
Panama Casco Antiguo
Real Estate Investments For Sale For Rent
at Panama City`s Historic District

We were at the Metallica concert last March, jumping, screaming and singing... and who do we see on the screen (where they show the faces of the public)? Little Zed on the shoulders of Cristine... headbanging and singing every single song... even the ones I didn`t know. This month, Zed and I will have 25 years of difference, but somehow when you meet him you feel the difference isn`t that much.

Zed is the 9 year old son of Cristine and Don, the artists that conform "Cartooch". With a calm personality, he composes and plays his own music. He has a rock band with friends 20 year older than him ("The Green Sky") and this week he came out at La Prensa`s magazine K.

The article mentions that his next song will be presented in Youtube and is called "Light of the Sky". So check the article out! and remember to look in Youtube..

Here is Zed at his home in Conservatorio, Plaza Herrera, Casco Viejo.

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

Hercules visits Casco Viejo

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 08:33:31 GMT

Panama Casco Viejo
Casco Antiguo Panama
Real Estate Investment For Sale For Rent
at Panama City`s Historic District

Ok, so maybe this didn`t deserve a blog. But is so cool!!!! is an Hercules Beetle!!!! While working at Smithsonian I learned about them, and they are so impressive that once you`ve seen one "live" you never forget it. But it is also one of those rare guys, so to see even one specimen walking down the street in Casco Viejo was a paralyzing event!

From Wikipedia (link here):

"The Hercules beetle (Dynastes hercules) is the most famous and largest of the rhinoceros beetles. It is native to the rainforests of Central America, South America, and the Lesser Antilles (Clemson University). Their title is well deserved, with some (exceptionally rare) males reaching 6.75 inches (170 mm) in length. It is the largest of the 6 species in the Dynastes genus, and one of the largest beetles known, being exceeded in length by only two other beetles in the family Cerambycidae, Macrodontia cervicornis (specimens of 170-175 mm are known) and Titanus giganteus (also up to 170-175mm; several 180+ mm specimens are reputed/alleged to exist). However, if the horns are excluded, this species drops considerably farther down in the size rankings. One reason for this is that the development of the horns is allometric, as well as sexually dimorphic, and thus not strictly correlated to actual body size; it is possible for a female to be much longer, measured from eyes to abdomen, than a male, yet be considered "smaller" simply due to the absence of horns."

Visit our web site at www.arcoproperties.com.

El Panama America

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:53:59 GMT

Panama News

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:53:59 GMT