H a V a N a C R O S S I
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HAVANA CROSSING HAVANA CROSSING "In Havana, the past, like no place on earth, lives side by side with contemporary life. Here, architecture, design, society and geography create a unique inspirational style. In that context, Stanley Furniture’s Havana Crossing™ is authentic to Cuba and its culture. With careful attention to detail this furniture collection has been designed with forms and materials inspired by the outstanding universal value of Havana — one of the world’s most beautiful cities and one that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site." Victor Marin Retired UNESCO Staff, Architect, Professor and Heritage Preservationist Havana, Cuba 5 "My grandfather was captivated by Cuba, from 1936 when he first established casino resort operations in Havana, through the 1950s when travel to Cuba came alive. He loved the food, the music, the culture and the people of Havana. I hope you enjoy this spirit captured faithfully in Stanley Furniture’s Havana Crossing™.” Meyer Lansky, II Grandson of Meyer Lansky, Founder of the Hotel Havana Riviera South Lake Tahoe, California 6 7 9 INTRODUCTION Most people who grow up north of Miami-Dade County learn only the basics about Cuba and its tumultuous history. Yet, a mere ninety miles from Key West, across the Straits of Florida, lies an island nation — larger than all the other islands of the Caribbean combined — with a story that would seem inconceivable were it not true. Today, Cuba is at once frozen in time, while also, increasingly, crossing paths with the digital age of the Western world. Thanks to the expertise of our guides, Dr. Justin White, Roberto Giraudy, Yovani Santana Guerrero, Victor Avila and Victor Marin, over the course of fifteen months and three trips, our team experienced Havana from the vantage point of local experts with an eye on how five hundred years of history has shaped its culture, its aesthetic and its architecture. Glenn Prillaman, Rick Schroeder, Denis Kissane and I set out to distill that experience into an eclectic yet well-edited home furnishings collection that is both reflective of the Stanley Furniture design language and authentic to Cuba. Cuba is home to some of the best-preserved Colonial architecture in the Americas. From the 16th century Morro Castle to the 18th century Palacio del Segundo Cabo, we found examples of Spanish, Roman, Greek, Italian and Moorish influence. Throughout the 19th century, neoclassical style developed a strong following in Cuba, and we saw that on prominent display in Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, which was founded in 1859. Beyond its notoriety with other schools of design, the Vedado neighborhood — particularly the seven-block stretch of 23rd Street known as La Rampa — holds many of the world’s finest examples of midcentury modern architecture. We spent considerable time there, and in the Nuevo Vedado neighborhood, as part of our exploration into the roots of what many refer to as Cuba’s “Tropical Modernism”. To that end, while Havana has long been known as one of the world’s few intact Spanish Colonial cities, what is less widely known is that it was primarily constructed in the first half of the 20th century. Largely through foreign investment — both 10 11 traditional and not-so-traditional, via the likes of elite members of the mafia such as Meyer Lansky, Santo Trafficante, Jr. and Lucky Luciano — Havana experienced rapid expansion and an incredible influx of wealth. Thanks to the timing of its growth and the influence of cities such as Miami and Las Vegas, with which it competed for tourists, Havana took a leadership position at the forefront of modern architecture in Latin America. The way that Havana’s architects, who were largely Cuban, so deftly reconciled the simplicity of midcentury modern design with the city’s prevailing European Colonial architecture created a beautiful style that fit perfectly in its Caribbean environment and influenced other architects and designers around the world. This creativity, the impact of foreign investment and the ensuing post-1959 isolation, has yielded a uniquely Cuban aesthetic that is unlike anything you will see throughout the world. The very harmony with which all of these styles, colors and textures coexist, shoulder to shoulder, cuts right to the heart of our design thesis and mission: to experience the full spectrum of Havana’s architectural and cultural landscape and synthesize that into a beautiful collection of wood residential furnishings. Cuba is an extraordinary place. No book or photograph can prepare you for the enormity of what you see and feel upon arrival. The architecture, the landscape, the food, the music, the art and the people are all exceptional. To experience Havana and see, firsthand, remnants of what it was before the Cuban Revolution, what it is today, and to catch a glimpse of the gradual changes the entire country is undergoing is breathtaking, enchanting and, at the same time, haunting. As relations between the United States and Cuba continue to thaw, one can only hope that the collective wisdom of six decades will prevail in protecting and preserving the country’s many architectural treasures. If the same level of energy, effort and resources that were invested in Havana’s boom era are even fractionally invested in its restoration, the city will most assuredly reclaim its 20th century moniker — the Paris of the Caribbean. Randy Wells Vice President, Creative Stanley Furniture High Point, North Carolina 12 13 As a result of our extraordinary access to the city of Havana, we saw firsthand the resourcefulness and ingenuity of its people as they persevere through the political struggles between our two countries. Over the course of three trips to Cuba, we have gained a profound respect for the Cuban people and the pride they take in the unique character of their nation. As an expression of our sincere appreciation, Stanley Furniture will donate one percent of Havana Crossing™ profits to organizations committed to the preservation and restoration of the country’s architectural and cultural treasures. Glenn Prillaman President & Chief Executive Officer Stanley Furniture High Point, North Carolina 14 15 2 3 THANK YOU In no particular order, our team at Stanley Furniture would like to thank the following for their contributions: Randy Wayne White for devoting your career to writing books that inspire, inform and entertain millions of people; for the tireless research you do in the name of accuracy, authenticity and the enrichment of your works; and for kicking open the door to our travels and research in Cuba. Information on Randy’s body of work can be found at www.randywaynewhite.com. Justin White, Ph.D. for doing an exceptional job of organizing and leading each of our three expeditions to Cuba, for being a great friend to every member of our group and for taking us well off the beaten path, watching our backs in the process. Justin can be found at www.docfordscubaexpeditions.com. 1 Roberto Giraudy, Yovani Santana Guerrero and Victor Avila for welcoming us to your country with open arms; for your tireless efforts and the many late nights spent managing the Cuban side of our expeditions; and for setting us up in some of Havana’s best attractions. Victor Marin for sharing with us the history of Cuba, its architecture and its people. Every step of the way, you went above and beyond to provide our team the knowledge necessary to design and develop a collection true to its inspiration. Your patience, kindness and insight played a tremendous role in bringing Havana Crossing™ to fruition. Dani & Meyer Lansky, II for sharing with us your stories of Meyer Lansky, his love of Cuba and the time he spent in Havana, and also for your research efforts in our fact-finding mission on the Havana Riviera. Learn more about Meyer Lansky at www.officialmeyerlansky.com. Our design and marketing team would like to extend a very special thank you to Steve Wolf, Larry Hagwood, Jerry Hall, 6 5 4 Richard Ledger, Thomas Luk and our entire manufacturing team in Martinsville, Virginia and Saigon, Vietnam for Photo 1 (left to right): Victor Marin, Doc Ford’s Cuba Expeditions, Lynn Wright, Director of Visual Display, Stanley Furniture | Photo 2 (left to right): Richard Ledger, Starwood Manufacturing, George Jordan, President, The MT Company, Randy Wells, VP, Creative, Stanley Furniture, Denis Kissane, Furniture Designer, Stanley Furniture, Dr. Justin turning our inspiration and drawings into beautiful furniture that will endure for generations to come. White, President, Doc Ford’s Cuba Expeditions | Photo 3: Rick Schroeder, VP, Design, Stanley Furniture | Photo 4: Maggie Aardema, Principal, Design Associates | Photo 5: Denis Kissane, Furniture Designer, Stanley Furniture | Photo 6 (left to right): Victor Avila, Doc Ford’s Cuba Expeditions, Glenn Prillaman, President & CEO, Stanley Furniture. 16 17 To the left, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), as seen from the Hotel Parque Central. To the right, the nation’s capitol as seen from the Hotel Parque Central. 19 The monument of El Templete marks the location where the founding of San Cristóbal de la Habana was celebrated in 1519. Neptune stands guard at the entrance of Havana Bay. 20 21 Museo de la Ciudad de la Habana (City Museum of Havana), La Habana Vieja. Rubén Martínez Villena Public Library, La Habana Vieja. 22 23 Palacio del Segundo Cabo (Palace of the Second in Command), La Habana Vieja. Palacio del Segundo Cabo (Palace of the Second in Command), which later became the Designed and built by Fernandez de Trevejo, this 18th century palace located in the Instituto del Libro (Book Institute), now serves as an organization dedicated to Cuban- Plaza de Armas (Parade Ground), served as a general post office headquarters and European cultural exchange.