Condado (Santurce) Facts for Kids

"El Condado" redirects here. For the parish in Laviana, Asturias, Spain, see El Condado (Laviana).

Quick facts for kids Condado
Subbarrio
View from beach at hotel La Concha Resort
Locator map of Condado in the barrio of Santurce
2000 Census map
Commonwealth	Puerto Rico
Municipality	San Juan
Barrio	Santurce
Area
• Total	.79 sq mi (2.0 km²)
• Land	.48 sq mi (1.2 km²)
• Water	.31 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	4,908
• Density	15,832.3/sq mi (6,112.9/km²)
	Source: 2010 Census
Time zone	UTC−4 (AST)

Condado is an oceanfront, tree-lined, pedestrian-oriented upper middle to upper class community in Santurce. It is one of the forty subbarrios of Santurce in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Setting
History
Demographics
- 21st century
- Public transportation
Images for kids
See also

Setting

Condado is primarily a middle to upper class community. It is located east of the historic colonial district of Old San Juan. It is one of 40 "sub-districts" of Santurce. The land area measures 203.81 acres (82.48 ha) with a resident population of 6,170 according to the 2000 United States Census.

The eastern border is marked by De Diego Avenue and its straight extension towards the Atlantic coast. On the south, the district is bounded by Wilson Street, Aldea Street, Expreso Baldorioty de Castro, Piccioni Street and Delcasse Street, and by the Condado Lagoon (from east to west). At the westernmost point is the Dos Hermanos Bridge, where Ashford Avenue ends and leads into Old San Juan. In the north are the beaches of the Atlantic Ocean next to hotels and other attractions such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and restaurants. Condado is one of the island's primary tourist destinations.

History

The 20th Century

Cornelius Vanderbilt, railroad tycoon in the U.S.

Condado began its process of urbanization in 1908 by two American industrialists, Hernan and Sosthenes, also known as the Behn Brothers. The quarter became a typical streetcar suburb to the traditional urban center of Old San Juan. Its growth and development was mostly shaped by a transportation influenced suburbanization developed on a grid plan.

The neighborhood experienced an economic boom in the first decades of the 20th century when some of the wealthiest families built their homes in the area. The Vanderbilts built a summer home in 1919 which today has been converted into the luxurious Condado Vanderbilt Hotel. The Behn Brothers also built their home in Condado and to their memory, Dos Hermanos Bridge (or "Two Brothers Bridge" in English) is named in their honor as founders of Puerto Rico Telephone and the new electric tramway line that linked the county to Old San Juan.

The 1950s-60s era saw another boom in Condado, with the rapid industrialization of Puerto Rico, this flamboyant locale was becoming a popular tourist destination. Large hotels like the Caribe Hilton Hotel and La Concha Resort were built as part of a government sponsorship program under the Operation Bootstrap brand.

A convention center was built to host activities while many families began to move in during the development of high-end and high-rise apartment buildings. In fact, Ashford Avenue was named after another well-known Condado resident Dr. Bailey Ashford. It runs through the district and leads toward the Puente Dos Hermanos.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1940	2,470	—
1950	3,336	+35.1%
1960	3,371	+1.0%
1970	4,605	+36.6%
1980	5,575	+21.1%
1990	5,582	+0.1%
2000	6,170	+10.5%

The 21st Century

Skyline of El Condado at night

The neighborhood's success as a popular residential and tourist spot is taking a toll on the infrastructure and residents. While properties in the area tend to be expensive, it is also often traffic congested, and residents have to contend with high noise levels even at late hours due to nightclubs and other attractions. Plans are currently underway to provide more pedestrian social spaces for residents and visitors. Designated cycle routes have been implemented and have been successful.

There are also a variety of dining options, specifically in Ashford Avenue. Every year, Condado holds a culinary festival of most of the popular restaurants around the area.

Condado is known nowadays as a hipster village and features such fashion boutiques as Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Cartier and Gucci.

Public Transportation

Condado is served by the Puerto Rico Metropolitan Bus Authority with two bus routes: T21 and D53.

Demographics

In 2010, Condado had a population of 4,908 and a population density of 15,832.3 persons per square mile.

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1940	2,470	—
1950	3,336	35.1%
1960	3,371	1.0%
1970	4,605	36.6%
1980	5,575	21.1%
1990	5,582	0.1%
2000	6,170	10.5%
2010	4,908	−20.5%
U.S. Decennial Census 1930-1950 1980-2000 2010

21st century

Skyline of El Condado

Condado looks quite different from what it did at the turn of the century. Some of the luxurious homes which still remain nestled between the high-rise condominiums have been converted into small inns, shops, museums or restaurants. Dr. Bailey Ashford's home has been remodeled and there are plans to turn it into a museum. Condado's main public space is La Ventana al Mar, designed by architect and urbanist Andrés Mignucci. The park is flanked by two of Condado's landmark hotels: to the west by the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel (1919), designed by Warren and Whitmore, and to the east by the La Concha Hotel (1957), designed by Toro Ferrer.

One of the first schools constructed by the United States is in Condado. Designed by Antonin Nechodoma, it was designated as a historic site in November 2020 by the Puerto Rico Planning Board.