A video shared on social media this Friday revealed the dilapidated and neglected state of Almacenes Ultra, a once-iconic store in Havana located at 109 Reina Street in Central Havana. The footage shows the floor covered with dark stains, scattered trash, and an overwhelming stench of urine described as unbearable by viewers.
The clip, posted on the Facebook page Cuba hoy, displayed the exterior of the establishment with rusted windows, graffiti-covered doors, and an interior in extreme disrepair. These images have sparked outrage among Cubans both on the island and abroad.
Back in April 2025, a video captured images of sewage leaks, accumulated excrement, and moldy walls inside, conditions that prompted its permanent closure.
The latest footage from this September confirms there has been no improvement whatsoever.
Comments from Cubans who remember the store in its prime express a mix of nostalgia and anger.
"I knew that store before '59 and in the early '60s; it was a dream to go in there, just like La Época, Flogar, or the Ten-Cent on Galiano," one user wrote.
Another recalled, "Ultra and Fin de Siglo were the largest stores in Havana, spacious with escalators and several floors."
Criticism was also directed squarely at the government: "That disaster is 50 meters from the municipal government of Central Havana, but apparently there is no government in Central Havana," another commenter noted.
"The only clean part of Havana is where the esteemed comrades of the Central Committee live," added another with bitter irony.
"Today, neglect and destruction rule Cuba. What once amazed, now only ruins remain," summarized a Cuban in the video comments, a statement that could be applied to the entire island.
Almacenes Ultra, established in 1938 by Asturian César Rodríguez González (1882-1966), was a pioneer in Cuba's department store model, featuring escalators, multiple floors, and up to 120 employees.
After the 1959 revolution, it was nationalized under Law 890 of 1960 and taken over by the State, which managed it until its gradual decline.
In 1994, it partially reopened and was presented by the regime as the largest store in the country, but decades of state management led to its current condition.
The neglect of Ultra is part of a documented pattern of deterioration of Havana’s historic major stores, all nationalized after 1959.
Fin de Siglo was reported in ruins in 2022, Galerías Paseo collapsed in 2024, and the former RCA Víctor store was demolished in September of that same year.
The broader context exacerbates the situation. The streets of Havana are overwhelmed with filth, as shown in a series of recent videos, including one highlighting the heap of waste behind the equally iconic La Época store.
Just days ago, the official press reported the arrival of 20 trucks and over 240 containers from China, with an investment exceeding one million euros, although authorities admitted that "this is not the definitive solution."
Frequently Asked Questions About the Deterioration of Almacenes Ultra
What is the current state of Almacenes Ultra in Havana?
Almacenes Ultra is in a state of severe disrepair, with its floors covered in stains, trash scattered around, and a pervasive smell of urine. The building's exterior has rusted windows and graffiti-covered doors.
What historical significance does Almacenes Ultra hold in Cuba?
Founded in 1938, Almacenes Ultra was a pioneer in Cuba’s department store model, featuring escalators and multiple floors. It was nationalized after the 1959 revolution and became a symbol of the State-managed retail system.
How has the government responded to the deterioration of Havana's historic stores?
While there have been some investments, such as the purchase of trucks and containers from China, these efforts are not seen as a definitive solution to the ongoing neglect and decay of historic stores in Havana.