Casco View Awarded Panama's Highest Architectural Honor

Brian Wagner
Mar 16
4 min read

Winner of the Premio Magno – MOA 70

Casco View has been awarded the Premio Magno – MOA 70, the highest architectural distinction granted by the Colegio de Arquitectos de Panamá.

The recognition comes as part of the 70th edition of the Mejores Obras de Arquitectura (MOA) Awards, Panama's most respected architectural competition. Following a detailed review and on-site inspection by a jury of licensed architects, Casco View was selected as Best Multi-Residential Building in Panama.

For the project team, the award represents the culmination of more than a decade of planning, design, and construction.

A Building Designed for Its Neighborhood

Casco View was conceived as a building that responds to the historic fabric of Santa Ana — one of Panama City's oldest neighborhoods, located immediately west of the UNESCO World Heritage district of Casco Viejo.

The architectural language blends contemporary structural engineering with materials and proportions that reference the surrounding city. Key elements include an exposed steel structural system, brick and polished concrete surfaces engineered for tropical durability, shaded circulation spaces designed for natural ventilation, and landscaping integrated throughout the building.

More than 2,000 plants are integrated into the structure, softening the industrial framework and creating genuine green space within a dense urban environment. The result is a building that is modern in its engineering while remaining connected to the neighborhood's architectural history.

A Neighborhood with History — and Momentum

Santa Ana sits just a few blocks from Casco Viejo, yet for decades the neighborhood was largely overlooked.

In the mid-20th century, the combined districts of Santa Ana and El Chorrillo housed more than 20,000 residents. Economic shifts and the destruction caused during the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama — when nearby El Chorrillo was heavily damaged — accelerated the area's decline.

Casco View was conceived as part of a broader transition, bringing residents, services, and investment back into the neighborhood. Today, the revitalization that reshaped Casco Viejo is gradually expanding westward into Santa Ana, with several new projects now underway. Casco View stands among the first modern residential buildings to bridge that transition.

Why Awards Like This Matter

Architecture awards are not simply aesthetic recognition. They signal that a building has been evaluated by independent experts for design quality, construction standards, and urban integration — and that it met the highest bar in each category.

For buyers and investors, that recognition translates into something tangible. Properties recognized for design excellence tend to attract stronger tenants, command better resale prices, and hold their market identity over time. Thoughtful design, validated by independent authority, contributes directly to long-term asset value.

The MOA jury physically inspected the completed building and verified every claim. Buyers are not purchasing based on renderings — they are acquiring a building that has been independently evaluated and awarded the top distinction in its category in Panama.

The Architect Behind the Project

Casco View was designed by Luis Carballeda of LOA Arquitectura, whose portfolio includes award-winning projects in both Spain and Panama. Among his most recognized works is the renovation of Mercat de la Barceloneta in Barcelona, recipient of the City of Barcelona Architecture Award.

LOA Arquitectura is known for combining contemporary construction methods with sensitivity to historic urban environments — an approach reflected throughout every detail of Casco View.

A Project Years in the Making

Casco View officially opened in January 2024, marking the completion of more than a decade of planning and construction. It became the first green-certified residential building in the historic district and the first mid-rise steel residential structure of its kind in Panama.

More than a construction milestone, the opening marked the beginning of a new chapter for Santa Ana — one where residents, businesses, and investors are returning to a neighborhood that had been overlooked for decades.

Investment Context

Panama continues to attract international buyers and investors thanks to a fully dollarized economy, strong regional connectivity, and residential rental yields often estimated between 5% and 10%. Casco View sits within one of the city's most closely watched revitalization corridors.

Factor	Detail
Award Recognition	MOA 70 – Best Multi-Residential Building in Panama
Location	Santa Ana / Casco Viejo revitalization zone
Price Range	$180,000 – $600,000
Rental Yield	Est. 5%–10% annually
Currency	U.S. Dollar — fully dollarized economy
Residency	Eligible for Panama's Qualified Investor Visa ($300K threshold)

Panama's Qualified Investor Program grants expedited permanent residency with a real estate investment of $300,000 — a threshold many Casco View units are priced to meet. For international buyers, one purchase can secure both a high-quality asset and a residency pathway in one of Latin America's most stable jurisdictions.