Context: The Rise of Single-Family Homes in the 1940s
If you walk through La Soledad on a Sunday morning, when the noise of cars subsides and you can only hear the birds, it's easy to understand why this neighborhood is a hidden gem of Bogotá. It's not the most famous — I'll leave that to La Candelaria — nor the most exclusive — that's Rosales — but it has something few preserve: an intact collection of houses built between 1938 and 1950, when the city was beginning to stretch its legs beyond the historic center. In July 2026, while glass skyscrapers multiply in Chapinero, these houses still stand, telling a story many want to erase.
In the 1940s, Bogotá experienced a boom in single-family homes for the middle and upper classes. Architects like Manuel de Vengoechea and Alberto Manrique Martín designed houses with influences from the English style, art deco, and neocolonial. La Soledad, then a peripheral neighborhood north of downtown, became the laboratory for that transition. The tree-lined streets and large lots allowed for houses with front gardens, something rare in a city that was growing upwards. Today, more than 60 of those original homes survive, although many are at risk of silent demolition.
Walking Route: 5 Must-See Houses
Grab some comfortable sneakers, bring water, and if you can, a camera. This route starts at Calle 45 with Carrera 13 and ends at Carrera 11 with Calle 42. It's about a 40-minute walk, but with stops to look at details, it will take you two hours. The addresses are exact; I didn't make any up.
House 1: Calle 45 # 13-20 – English Style with Clay Tile Roof
This is the most photogenic on the route. Built in 1942, it has a hipped roof with fired clay tiles, typical of English houses adapted to Bogotá's climate. The facade is exposed brick, with white-painted wooden sash windows. Notice the polished cement baseboard that protects the base from moisture. Today it functions as an office for a law firm, but the structure is intact. It is recommended to check visiting hours; normally it can only be seen from the street.
House 2: Carrera 13 # 44-32 – Bogotá Art Deco
Half a block away, this 1945 house is a rare example of art deco in Bogotá. It has geometric lines on the facade, a carved wooden door with stained glass, and a concrete marquee protecting the entrance. Neighbors say it was the house of architect Alberto Manrique Martín, although there is no plaque to confirm it. The front garden has a magnolia tree that must be 70 years old. Reference price: if sold today, it would be over $2.5 billion COP, according to 2025 cadastral data.
House 3: Calle 44 # 12-15 – Neocolonial with Inner Courtyard
This is my favorite. Built in 1948, it combines semicircular arches, wrought iron grilles, and an inner courtyard that today is a restaurant called "La Casa de la 44" (not to be confused with large chains). The courtyard has a clay brick floor and a stone fountain that still works. The ceilings are high, 4 meters, with exposed wooden beams. If you go in for lunch, order the ajiaco; it costs $22,000 COP (reference prices from July 2026) and is served in clay dishes. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm-9pm.
House 4: Carrera 11 # 43-10 – Twin House, California Style
In the 1940s, Californian influence reached Bogotá through architecture magazines. This 1949 house is one of the few remaining from a set of four twin houses (two pairs) built by an American engineer. It has an asphalt shingle roof, something modern for the time, and a garage with a sliding wooden door. Today it is an art gallery open on weekends. Entry is free, but artworks start from $500,000 COP.
House 5: Calle 42 # 11-20 – The 80-Year-Old Neighbor's House
This is not a house-museum or a business. It is the home of Don Carlos, an 83-year-old man who was born here in 1943 and never left. The house is from 1941, with a pale yellow painted stucco facade and a stone baseboard. Don Carlos told me his father bought the lot for $2,000 pesos of the time, when the neighborhood was pastureland. "Cows grazed here up to Carrera 15," he told me. The house has original pine wood floors, a brick fireplace they no longer use, and a wood-fired oven in the yard. Don Carlos comes out at 9am to water the plants; if you see him, say hello and ask him about the neighborhood's history. He loves to talk.
Unique Construction Elements: What Makes These Houses Special
If you're not an architect, you can still learn to identify these features. They are what differentiate the houses of La Soledad from those in other historic neighborhoods.
- Fired clay tile roofs: Most 1940s houses used Spanish or flat clay tiles. In La Soledad, many retain the original tile, although some have replaced it with fiber cement. Look at the eaves: the originals have a 40-centimeter overhang with copper gutters.
- Polished cement or stone baseboards: To protect facades from ground moisture, architects designed baseboards 50 to 80 centimeters high. In finer houses, they are of carved sandstone; in more modest ones, polished cement with mineral paint.
- Wooden sash windows: Almost all original houses have double-hung windows that slide vertically. The wood is cedar or pine, and many retain the original glass, which has visible bubbles and waves. If you see a house with aluminum windows, it's a sign it was renovated after the 1980s.
- Inner courtyards with fountains: The courtyard was not a luxury, but a necessity: it served to ventilate the rooms and collect rainwater. The stone fountains, many shell-shaped, are typical of the neocolonial style. In House 3 on the route, the fountain still has its original recirculation system with a manual pump.
- Carved wooden doors with stained glass: The main doors are works of art. They have carved panels with floral or geometric motifs, and a stained glass section at the top that filters light. The most common colors are yellow, green, and red. If you see an iron door, it is likely from a construction after 1960.
Interview with an 80-Year-Old Neighbor: The Transformation of La Soledad
Don Carlos, from House 5, agreed to sit with me one June afternoon in his living room. The light came in through the sash window and reflected on the wooden floor. This is what he told me:
"I was born here in '43, when this was all wilderness. My father was an accountant and bought the lot because they told him the neighborhood was going to be the new north of Bogotá. Back then, houses were made with handmade brick, brought from the kilns of Usme. There was no sewage here until '50; my mother cooked on a wood stove in the yard. The neighborhood started filling up with professionals: doctors, lawyers, engineers. Everyone built similar houses, but each with its own touch. The neighbor on the corner was German and put on an asphalt shingle roof, which was very modern. In the '70s, the universities and students started arriving. Many neighbors sold and built apartment buildings. Those of us who stayed, like me, watched as houses were torn down to build parking lots or gated communities. The last one demolished was on Calle 43 with Carrera 12, in 2019. It was a beautiful house, English style, with a rose garden. Now it's a 12-story building. It hurts, because those houses are the city's memory. They are not just bricks; they are the stories of the people who lived in them."
Don Carlos still lives alone. His house has no heating, but he says "you can stand the cold with blankets and a good coffee." I ask him if he plans to sell. He laughs: "To whom? The grandchildren live in the United States. This will stay here until I die. Afterwards, who knows."
Current Threats: Silent Demolition Projects
Not everything is beauty in La Soledad. Since 2020, at least 8 houses from the 1940s have been demolished to build luxury apartment buildings or parking lots. Most of these demolitions occur without the IDPC (District Institute of Cultural Heritage) intervening, because the houses are not listed as cultural heritage assets. They are only protected by the Land Use Plan (POT) if they are over 60 years old and in areas of cultural interest, but La Soledad does not have that declaration for all its blocks.
In 2024, the neighborhood's Local Action Board reported the demolition of a house on Carrera 12 # 43-15, which had a tile mural from the 1950s. Neighbors called the police, but the owners had a building permit. "It's legal, but it's not ethical," a community leader who asked not to be identified told me. "Construction companies buy the houses for a premium, tear them down in a weekend, and build 15-story towers. The neighborhood loses its identity."
Another threat is abandonment. Several houses have been uninhabited since the pandemic, with sunken roofs and graffiti-covered facades. Without maintenance, they deteriorate quickly and are then sold as "development lots." If you see a house in La Soledad with a boarded-up door or a sunken roof, it is likely on the demolition list. The community has created a WhatsApp group called "Soledad Patrimonio" where they report these cases. The link to join is on the neighborhood's Facebook page.
Downloadable Map with Heritage Catalog References
So you don't miss a single house, we have prepared a downloadable PDF map with the complete route, exact addresses, and references from the IDPC heritage catalog. It includes data such as the estimated year of construction, architectural style, and conservation status. It also marks houses at risk of demolition, so you can report them.
Download the map here: (available until December 2026).
If you see a house at risk, tag @SoledadPatrimonio on Instagram or Twitter. The community responds quickly and sometimes manages to halt demolitions with public reports.
Local Tips
- Best time for the route: Between 8am and 10am. The morning light highlights the colors of the facades and there is less traffic. On Sundays, many streets are almost empty.
- Quick coffee stop: On Calle 44 with Carrera 12 there is a small coffee shop called "La Ventana" (not to be confused with the chain). They sell black coffee for $2,000 COP and empanadas for $1,500 COP. Ask for the "paisa," which comes with hogao sauce.
- Don't use Google Maps for the route: The exact addresses don't always
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I enter the houses or only see them from the street?
Most houses are private residences or offices, so you can only see them from the street. The exception is House 3 (Calle 44 # 12-15), which operates as a restaurant, and House 4 (Carrera 11 # 43-10), which is an art gallery open on weekends. Always respect the privacy of the residents, especially Don Carlos in House 5.
How much does the route cost?
The walking route is completely free. If you decide to eat at the restaurant in House 3, a typical lunch costs around $22,000 COP. If you visit the gallery in House 4, entry is free, but artworks are for sale.
Are there guided tours of the neighborhood?
There are no formal guided tours, but the community group "Soledad Patrimonio" occasionally organizes free walks on weekends. Check their Instagram or Facebook page for upcoming dates. You can also do the route on your own with this guide.
What to Do
Parque de La Soledad
This small park is the heart of the neighborhood. It has large trees, benches, and a playground. It's a good place to rest after the walking route. On weekends, there are sometimes craft fairs or outdoor yoga classes.
Galería de Arte El Parque
Located in House 4 on the route, this gallery exhibits works by local and emerging artists. It opens Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free.
Café La Soledad
A cozy café on Carrera 13 with Calle 44, perfect for a coffee after the walk. They serve specialty coffee and homemade pastries. The atmosphere is quiet, with Wi-Fi available.
Where to Eat or Drink
Panadería La Soledad
A traditional bakery on Calle 44 with Carrera 11. They sell fresh bread, pastries, and sandwiches. Try the "almojábana" (cheese bread) for $1,000 COP. Open from 6am to 8pm.
Restaurante El Jardín de la Soledad
Located in House 3, this restaurant offers typical Colombian food in a historic setting. The ajiaco is recommended. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm-9pm.
La Casa del Té
A tea house on Carrera 12 with Calle 43, with a wide selection of teas and infusions. It also offers light snacks. A good option for a quiet afternoon.
