A group of US investors who are buying the Las Arcadas shopping center have run into opposition for their plans to build a nine-story “smart” hotel on this land.  The land is adjacent to the Hotel Gran Costa Rica, Plaza de la Cultura and National Theater.

The Ministry of Culture received a letter of protest from Érick Gutiérrez Rojas, general manager of the Gran Hotel Costa Rica . Gutiérrez maintains that building a nine story building would “severely” the collection of buildings that has been declared a national treasure: the National Theater, the Hotel Gran Costa Rica and Las Arcadas.
Based on this criteria, Sandra Quirós, director of Patrimony for the Ministry of Culture, sent a letter to Rodolfo Sancho, director de Civic Engineering at the San José city hall. In the letter she asked the city to consult with the Ministry of Culture before granting any construction permits on the land in question.

Juan Carlos Obando, General Manager of the Corporación Grupo San José, which represents the investment group, stated that the hotel project would not disrupt the harmony of the national treasures. According to Obando the architects working on the project will respect the historical nature of the square that is so dear to the josefinos.

“It will be in harmony with the other buildings.  If 9 floors is too disruptive, we won’t build them. ”, said Obando. Also, he promised that if they determine the project for a hotel is not viable, then the group will build something else.