Residencia Aboy-Lompré facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Residencia Aboy–Lompre
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 Location in Puerto Rico
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| Location | 900 Ponce de León Ave., Miramar, Puerto Rico |
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| Built | 1912 |
| Architect | Ferrer & Pons; Nechodoma, Antonin |
| Architectural style | Prairie School, Bungalow/Craftsman, Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001304 |
| Added to NRHP | March 22, 1989 |
The Aboy House (also called Residencia Aboy-Lompré) is a special old house in San Juan, Puerto Rico. It was built between 1910 and 1912 for the Aboy-Ferrer family. Today, this historic house is home to different groups. These include the Shaare Zedeck Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center of Puerto Rico. It also has a museum about photojournalism.
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Designing the Aboy House
The Aboy House was designed by several talented people. One of them was Antonin Nechodoma. He was a student of the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Nechodoma moved to Puerto Rico around 1905. He created a unique tropical style of architecture. This style became very popular on the island.
Architects and Their Ideas
Puerto Rican architect Miguel Ferrer and engineer Francisco Pons also worked on the house's design. They wanted to make the most of the cool breezes and natural light. Frank B. Hatch, who had worked with Nechodoma, also added his ideas. Finally, Ramón Aboy Lompré, who would live in the house, made his own suggestions.
Special Features of the House
The house has a large porch at the front. It has two posts, which was a common style for Nechodoma. The windows in the attic were changed to make the front of the house look even better. The beautiful colored glass for these windows came from the Dominican Republic.
Besides the porch, the house also has decorative tiles. It features a double staircase inside. The roof style is another one of Nechodoma's special touches. However, unlike his usual designs, this house has very large rooms. It also has a wide hallway, which makes it feel open and spacious.
History of the Aboy House
After it was built, the Aboy Residence was a popular place for social events. The original property was very large. It stretched from the main avenue to Martí Street. The first building on this land no longer exists.
Changes to the Property
When the first owner passed away, the land was split between his two sons. They each built a house there, which were like twins. But in 1986, after a legal disagreement about who would get what, the house was closed. Soon after, Ramón Aboy passed away.
Today, only the house built by Don Ramón Aboy is still standing. It has been named a part of Puerto Rico's "cultural heritage." It is now home to the Federación de Foto Periodistas de Puerto Rico. This group helped a direct descendant of the original owner, Ramón Aboy Miranda.
Restoration and Reopening
In 1989, the Aboy Residence was added to the National Register of Historic Sites. This means it is a very important historical building. The local government started to restore it. They got help from the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture and the Puerto Rico Legislative Assembly.
The house was reopened on May 5, 1994. It was meant to host free cultural activities for everyone. It also became home to the Cultural Center Ramón Aboy Miranda. This center is part of the Puerto Rican Institute of Culture.
The Aboy Family Legacy
The street that passes by the house is also named after the Aboy family. This is because it was built on land that once belonged to them. Many important people have come from this family. These include Ramón Aboy Miranda, a talented photojournalist. Another famous family member is José Ferrer, an actor. He was the first Puerto Rican to win an Academy Award. Also, Carmen Aboy de Valldejuli was a pioneer in Puerto Rican cooking. She wrote many cookbooks with her husband, Luis Valldejuli Duprey.
