The Bacardi Building

You’ve probably heard the name Bacardí before, but do you know the story behind it? The Bacardí family, originally from Catalonia in Spain, founded one of the most famous rum brands in the world. Let’s go back to the early 19th century, when Facundo Bacardí, a wine merchant, emigrated to Cuba during Spanish colonial rule. Fascinated by rum production, his goal was to refine it from a rough drink into a sophisticated spirit. He revolutionised the production process at every stage creating the first-ever white rum. In 1862, the Bacardí family officially launched their brand in Santiago de Cuba. Within fifty years, it had expanded internationally. By the 1920s, the company was thriving — partly thanks to American visitors who came to Cuba to drink alcohol freely during Prohibition in the United States. During this golden age, the Bacardí family commissioned the building in front of you, known as Havana’s finest Art Deco landmark. This 47-metre-high structure was once the tallest — and only — “skyscraper” in the Cuban capital. Its pyramid-shaped façade features red granite, golden tiles, brass details, nude nymph sculptures and terracotta reliefs. The materials were sourced from all over Europe, including Germany, Sweden, France, Italy, Norway, Belgium, and Hungary. At the top of the central tower stands the brand’s symbol: a bat. The founder’s wife chose it after discovering a colony of bats living in the family’s original distillery, drawn in by the scent of molasses. The bat logo also helped illiterate Cubans easily identify the brand. After the 1959 Cuban Revolution, the Bacardí company’s assets were seized by the state, and the business relocated to the United States. Today, the Edificio Bacardí houses office spaces, but the grand lobby and bar remain open to the public. They’re well worth a visit, just be aware that restoration work may be underway.