Content creator Alexis Oliva Gea, through his project GuanaboVibes, has highlighted the neglected state of a property known as Solymar or Vista al Mar, a once-private residence located in Boca Ciega, East Havana Beaches.
The Cuban regime seized the house in the 1960s, and today it remains unoccupied, with only its white walls and intact floors bearing silent witness to its storied past.
This building was originally a residential chalet, taken over under the Urban Reform Law (Law No. 665), enacted on October 14, 1960, which impacted approximately 105,000 property owners across Cuba without fair compensation.
Over the years, the state repurposed the property several times: it has served as a daycare center, the economic headquarters for the state-run company Rumbos, and eventually, an international cuisine restaurant catering to tourists.
"That restaurant for international tourism was called Vista al Mar," recalled Kathrine Mountgommery in the video comments, noting her own employment there.
Gerardo Gutiérrez Bravo confirmed, "It was called Vista al Mar and was once the economic headquarters for Rumbos."
Marta Alonso Orta shared additional insights, "Long ago, it was a daycare." The building consists of three floors and once featured a children's playground in the backyard, later converted into a cement patio.
Today, none of that remains. Oliva Gea described it as "a house-restaurant that was an icon of Boca Ciega, now abandoned yet with white walls and intact floors preserving memories."
The Broader Decline of Boca Ciega
This case is not unique—Boca Ciega has transformed from a vacation paradise into a ghost town, with dozens of properties seized in the '60s left unmaintained or returned. The area hosts over 100 completely vacant houses, primarily chalets initially built for tourist rentals.
Another example is El Dorado, a recreational complex in Boca Ciega documented in complete disrepair since June 2025, featuring empty pools, overgrown vegetation, and signs of vandalism.
This pattern is repeated along the coastal strip, where historic treasures crumble due to state neglect.
The Housing Crisis and Public Outrage
What angers followers of these accounts most is the stark contrast between the neglect of these properties and the housing crisis plaguing the Cuban population.
"It's so sad, with so many people homeless, I myself have five little ones and have been living in a shelter for 10 years," lamented Deyanira Villavicencio in the comments.
Hildita Fernández Vila, who lived in Guanabo from 1959 and emigrated in 1980, noted that the severe decay was not present when she left. Mike Barasoain was more blunt: "They ruined everything... sad but true... We must not forget."
In East Havana Beaches, renting a shaded spot in Boca Ciega now exceeds the average Cuban salary, while incredible sites are lost without government intervention.
Nancy Bravo encapsulated the sentiment of many: "In Boca Ciega, soon nothing will rise."
Frequently Asked Questions about Abandoned Properties in Boca Ciega
What was the original purpose of the Solymar/Vista al Mar property?
Originally, the building was a private residential chalet before being confiscated by the Cuban government in the 1960s.
How did the Urban Reform Law affect Cuban property owners?
The Urban Reform Law led to the expropriation of properties from around 105,000 owners across Cuba without effective compensation.
What is the current state of Boca Ciega?
Boca Ciega has become a ghost town with numerous abandoned properties, a stark contrast to its former status as a vacation destination.