Albergue Caritativo Tricoche
Encyclopedia
The Albergue Caritativo Tricoche or Hospital Tricoche (English: Tricoche Charitable Shelter or Tricoche Hospital) is a historic building located on Tricoche street in Ponce, Puerto Rico
, in the city's historic district. The articulated Classical revival style building dates from 1885. It was designed by the Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers. The architecture consists of 19th Century Civil Architecture. For its services, its elegant architecture and its excellent location in Ponce's urban area the Hospital Tricoche has become a significant part of Ponce's history. The structure was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
on May 14, 1987. The hospital was named after Valentin Tricoche, a 19th century land owner in Ponce with lands on the western bank of Rio Bucana
which included lands with a stone mine.
The oldest records found indicate that this structure was built in 1885 consisting of a one story building organized around two identical anterior courtyard
s. This original spatial distribution is still preserved. The southern half was altered in 1928 after the 1918 earthquake
damaged part of this side. During this remodeling a second story was added to this half. This southern facade is set back from the street by a fence and front yard. Its main element is the entrance portico
articulated by flat tuscan pilasters and three arches, the central one slightly protruding to the front (This portico is part of the original 1885 construction). Over the portico, separated by cornice and parapet with the building's name in sans serif letters. Other decorative elements at this level include overhangs, a segmental round cornice over the recessed center window, louvered casement windows with segmental round openings and plain glass transoms and a rosette on top of the center recess between the two volumes. In contrast, the first floor of this south facade presents large rectangular windows with wide planar moldings and a simple cornice with a segmental pyramidal profile on the top molding, a cornice and rectangular windows with false segmental arch crowned by an equally false keystone all part of the original 1885 construction.
The rear half of the building conserves the original one-story configuration with a repetition of rectangular openings surrounded by wide planar molding
s and top cornice
s. Crowning the center bay of the north (Arenas Street) facade there is a simple triangular pediment with the date "1885" on top. The Arenas Street facade presents a certain rhythm in its treatment of pilasters and bays: two pilasters flank each of the central ones, including the one with the pediment, are flanked and separated by a total of six more pilasters. Wherever the pilasters occur on this facade, the wall is slightly set off to the front. The bottom of this rear part is lifted on a podium
and the pilasters are surmounted by an entablure with a very simple frieze and architrave.
The corners on this rear part of the building are rounded, a somewhat unusual condition for corners in buildings of this type of architecture
. After a recent remodeling, most windows and doors were finished in near-duplicative (usually louvered casement) designs. The new annex on the side features arched openings to the street and has glass fenestration. This addition does not contribute to the property's architectural value but due to its disposition and volume it does not harm the main structure's integrity
. Even with the 1928 alterations this building is still a magnificent example of Spanish architecture in Ponce and of the neoclassical style.
to the City of Ponce left by Mr. Valentin Tricoche in his will
. These funds were to be used for the construction of a shelter-hospital for the poor and needy of Ponce.
No records of the original 1878 structure have been found; however, the existing building was commissioned to the Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers. By 1885 they had completed a one story neoclassical
style structure that covered an entire urban block. This building remained unchanged until the 1918 earthquake which damaged part of the southern side.
The reconstruction of this side was completed in 1928. During this reconstruction a second story was added to the south side. The architectural vocabulary
used for this addition was similar to the 1885 construction. The first floor and main entrance were restored to their original shape.
Since then alterations to the structure have been minimal and mostly due to new regulations by the Department of Health or to serve the community
better. The main alteration to the structure was the addition of a new emergency entrance on the southern side on the Bertoly Street facade
. This small addition does not contribute to the value of the property but neither does it hinder the structure's architectural integrity since it was designed and built with a compatible architectural vocabulary. This is also true of the 1928 second floor, which was clearly separated from the 1885 construction by means of visually acceptable wall.
Hospital Tricoche has served the Ponce community since 1878. It was closed in 1986. In its 108 year history the hospital gave the best free-of-cost medical attention available to the poor and needy in the city of Ponce.
In 2009, the Ponce mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo reported that 1 million dollars had been used by the municipality to remove toxic materials from he Hospital, and was optimistic that the inversion would lead to the opening of the hospital.
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
, in the city's historic district. The articulated Classical revival style building dates from 1885. It was designed by the Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers. The architecture consists of 19th Century Civil Architecture. For its services, its elegant architecture and its excellent location in Ponce's urban area the Hospital Tricoche has become a significant part of Ponce's history. The structure was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on May 14, 1987. The hospital was named after Valentin Tricoche, a 19th century land owner in Ponce with lands on the western bank of Rio Bucana
Río Bucaná
Río Bucaná, is a river in the municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Rio Bucana has its origin in barrio Machuelo Arriba where it forms at an altitude of . It forms from the confluence of Rio Cerrillos and Rio Bayagan. It is also fed by Rio Portugues during its southernly run. Rio Bucana used to run...
which included lands with a stone mine.
Physical appearance and description
The Hospital Tricoche occupies a whole urban block bounded to the north by Arena Street, to the South Tricoche Street, to the east Bertoly Street and to the west by Union Street. It is located several blocks north of Ponce's main square.The oldest records found indicate that this structure was built in 1885 consisting of a one story building organized around two identical anterior courtyard
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
s. This original spatial distribution is still preserved. The southern half was altered in 1928 after the 1918 earthquake
1918 Puerto Rico earthquake
The San Fermín earthquake, also known as the Puerto Rico earthquake of 1918, was a major earthquake that struck the island of Puerto Rico at 10:14am on October 11, 1918. The magnitude for the earthquake has been reported at around 7.5 ; however, that might not be an exact number...
damaged part of this side. During this remodeling a second story was added to this half. This southern facade is set back from the street by a fence and front yard. Its main element is the entrance portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
articulated by flat tuscan pilasters and three arches, the central one slightly protruding to the front (This portico is part of the original 1885 construction). Over the portico, separated by cornice and parapet with the building's name in sans serif letters. Other decorative elements at this level include overhangs, a segmental round cornice over the recessed center window, louvered casement windows with segmental round openings and plain glass transoms and a rosette on top of the center recess between the two volumes. In contrast, the first floor of this south facade presents large rectangular windows with wide planar moldings and a simple cornice with a segmental pyramidal profile on the top molding, a cornice and rectangular windows with false segmental arch crowned by an equally false keystone all part of the original 1885 construction.
The rear half of the building conserves the original one-story configuration with a repetition of rectangular openings surrounded by wide planar molding
Molding (decorative)
Molding or moulding is a strip of material with various profiles used to cover transitions between surfaces or for decoration. It is traditionally made from solid milled wood or plaster but may be made from plastic or reformed wood...
s and top cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
s. Crowning the center bay of the north (Arenas Street) facade there is a simple triangular pediment with the date "1885" on top. The Arenas Street facade presents a certain rhythm in its treatment of pilasters and bays: two pilasters flank each of the central ones, including the one with the pediment, are flanked and separated by a total of six more pilasters. Wherever the pilasters occur on this facade, the wall is slightly set off to the front. The bottom of this rear part is lifted on a podium
Podium
A podium is a platform that is used to raise something to a short distance above its surroundings. It derives from the Greek πόδι In architecture a building can rest on a large podium. Podia can also be used to raise people, for instance the conductor of an orchestra stands on a podium as do many...
and the pilasters are surmounted by an entablure with a very simple frieze and architrave.
The corners on this rear part of the building are rounded, a somewhat unusual condition for corners in buildings of this type of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. After a recent remodeling, most windows and doors were finished in near-duplicative (usually louvered casement) designs. The new annex on the side features arched openings to the street and has glass fenestration. This addition does not contribute to the property's architectural value but due to its disposition and volume it does not harm the main structure's integrity
Integrity
Integrity is a concept of consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes. In ethics, integrity is regarded as the honesty and truthfulness or accuracy of one's actions...
. Even with the 1928 alterations this building is still a magnificent example of Spanish architecture in Ponce and of the neoclassical style.
Significance
The "Albergue Caritativo Tricoche" (Tricoche Charitable Shelter) was founded in 1878 thanks to an endowmentFinancial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
to the City of Ponce left by Mr. Valentin Tricoche in his will
Will (law)
A will or testament is a legal declaration by which a person, the testator, names one or more persons to manage his/her estate and provides for the transfer of his/her property at death...
. These funds were to be used for the construction of a shelter-hospital for the poor and needy of Ponce.
No records of the original 1878 structure have been found; however, the existing building was commissioned to the Spanish Royal Corps of Engineers. By 1885 they had completed a one story neoclassical
Neoclassical architecture
Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
style structure that covered an entire urban block. This building remained unchanged until the 1918 earthquake which damaged part of the southern side.
The reconstruction of this side was completed in 1928. During this reconstruction a second story was added to the south side. The architectural vocabulary
Vocabulary
A person's vocabulary is the set of words within a language that are familiar to that person. A vocabulary usually develops with age, and serves as a useful and fundamental tool for communication and acquiring knowledge...
used for this addition was similar to the 1885 construction. The first floor and main entrance were restored to their original shape.
Since then alterations to the structure have been minimal and mostly due to new regulations by the Department of Health or to serve the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
better. The main alteration to the structure was the addition of a new emergency entrance on the southern side on the Bertoly Street facade
Facade
A facade or façade is generally one exterior side of a building, usually, but not always, the front. The word comes from the French language, literally meaning "frontage" or "face"....
. This small addition does not contribute to the value of the property but neither does it hinder the structure's architectural integrity since it was designed and built with a compatible architectural vocabulary. This is also true of the 1928 second floor, which was clearly separated from the 1885 construction by means of visually acceptable wall.
Hospital Tricoche has served the Ponce community since 1878. It was closed in 1986. In its 108 year history the hospital gave the best free-of-cost medical attention available to the poor and needy in the city of Ponce.
In 2009, the Ponce mayor Francisco Zayas Seijo reported that 1 million dollars had been used by the municipality to remove toxic materials from he Hospital, and was optimistic that the inversion would lead to the opening of the hospital.
See also
- National Parks Service Images
- The Puerto Rico Eagle. Feb. 1, 1909.
- Architects and Builders' Magazine. 1909, p. 289.
- Eduardo Newman Gandia. Breve Historia de la Ciudad de Ponce. Ponce, Puerto Rico: 1913.
- Directorio Comercial de Ponce. 1985.