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Panama City’s beautiful, eccentric Casco Viejo, the old district on the bay, has inspired writers and artists for generations. There is just something about the district, which has attracted international acclaim for its tasteful renovation.

“Like Keith Richards, Casco Viejo has an appealing mix of wealth, decay and glamour,” Dimitri Ehrlich writes on Huffington Post.

That almost captures it. Ehrlich’s essay is a wonderful ode to the beauty of Casco Viejo–and its rapid transformation. The restoration work continues on a daily basis, a prime example of historic preservation and economic progress working hand in hand.

The district, which is a short taxi ride from Punta Pacifica, has been redeveloped as a historic and cultural center, with a vibrant nightlife of clubs, restaurants and music.    

“The old capital of Panama, Casco is one of those strange places that’s changing so fast it’s hard to say what the neighborhood is,” Ehrlich writes. “What’s clear is that Casco Viejo is one of Latin America’s most beautiful Spanish Colonial Cities.”

Ehrlich’s essay offers a touch history of the district, while vividly capturing all the pros and cons of the neighborhood. Crumbling buildings are often right next door to beautifully-restored hotels and restaurants. But he also notes that Casco is becoming more than “a place where yuppies sip expensive cappuccinos,” with real efforts underway to preserve the local character and ability of Panamanians to enjoy the district.

“Casco Viejo is a work in progress, and that’s part of the appeal: trendy restaurants stand next to ramshackle houses, upscale bars abut abandoned ruins. You can stroll past coffee bars and art galleries and breathe in a living history of the place. Architecturally, it’s a bizarre mix: neo-georgian mansions stand next to colonial gems and typical Caribbean row houses.”

Ehrlich draws his own conclusions, noting there have been successes and failures in the process. You can read the full article here.