The official name of this building is: "Complejo Isla Multiespacio". For abbreviation purposes I will call it (IME) from now on. I don't know how many people are really aware that this giant in the geographical centre of the city is actually the tallest skyscraper in all of Venezuela. From its base to the lightning tower, it is 252.8 metres high.
It has several curiosities, including the fact that it can be photographed from almost every angle in the municipality. Not to mention where it can be seen. As it has such dimensions, it can be seen from almost any corner, without exception. But what has caught my attention about this monumental piece of concrete with a stylised shape is its history.
You see, it has been under construction since 2009. It is privately owned, which is why a mere mortal would think that its construction and imminent inauguration would be "effective". It is not only intended to be a hotel with countless stars; it will also have a huge shopping mall; and even an ice rink and theatre. I guess, that's where the "Multispace" comes from.
Truth is that, although magnificent and bewitching, this "Elephant" in the San Diego room is a kind of urban fossil. A remnant of what seemed to be a mega-ambitious project that for multiple reasons (I want to believe) has not been carried out. And here comes an anecdote. The photographs I had to take up close, were only possible by going into another little explored part of San Diego; "Valencey".
Which is a working class sector, "devised" and built under the administration of the Venezuelan National Government.... And well, there's a lot to be said for that, but I'm not going to go there today. What I will mention is that the people who live there (in Valencey, San Diego) are tremendously kind and warm. They know a lot of stories about this "Elephant". They say, they have seen multiple accidents of the workers, who strangely enough are still working on this project that doesn't seem to be moving forward at all...
Researching for this post, I found that the owners (yes, the ones who put up the dough, the billullo; the money; the cash...) are the same ones who own hardware stores in Venezuela; and no, they are not the ones from the yellow shops... They will come up with the right name, with a little bit of success and a little bit of discarding. Here is an imposing, indeed beautiful, "skeleton" of something that could have been; and that up to the time of this publication has not been... Did you know the history of the EMI? Did you know which is the tallest building in Venezuela before reading this? I'll be reading you...
