Modern and Traditional Architecture in the Granada Neighborhood

Introduction: When Exposed Brick Meets the Straight Line

If you walk along Carrera 36 with Calle 5 in Cali, you will come across a corner that looks like a short film of contrasts: on the left, a bahareque house with clay tiles from the 19th century; on the right, a glass and steel tower with cantilevered balconies that seems straight out of a contemporary architecture catalog. That is Granada, a neighborhood that, in less than ten blocks, tells you the story of a city that went from being a village of sugarcane haciendas to a hub of design and modernity. As of May 2026, this piece of Cali remains the living laboratory where the traditional and the modern rub shoulders without asking permission.

Here you won't find a museum of frozen facades. Granada is more of an open-air gallery where every renovation, every recycled house, and every new building is a statement of intent. For architects, it is a field of study on how the city adapts without losing its soul. For cultural tourists, it is the ideal neighborhood to take photos that don't look like generic postcards. In this guide, I'll tell you what to see, where to eat, and how to get around this place that, without exaggeration, is one of the best examples of architectural fusion in Colombia.

Brief History of Granada: From Pasture to Urban Showcase

Before Avenida 6 Norte or Parque del Perro existed, what is now Granada was part of the vast haciendas that surrounded Cali at the end of the 19th century. The neighborhood began to take shape in the 1940s and 1950s, when upper-middle-class families started building houses in the Republican and Neoclassical style, with inner courtyards, hallways, and facades decorated with moldings. This first architectural layer can still be felt on streets like Carrera 37 or Calle 4 Oeste.

The real turning point came in the 2000s, when local and foreign architects began to see potential in those old mansions. Instead of demolishing, many chose to intervene: they added second floors with metal structures, opened up load-bearing walls to create open-plan spaces, and left the bricks exposed as a tribute to the past. This gave rise to projects like La Casa de la 37 (a restaurant occupying a 1950s mansion) or the Edificio Mirador de Granada, an apartment tower that plays with staggered volumes so as not to block the views of the Cerro de las Tres Cruces.

Today, Granada is a neighborhood where restored bahareque houses, apartment buildings with exposed concrete facades, art galleries in basements, and restaurants occupying former auto repair shops all coexist. It is not a museum-neighborhood: it is a living neighborhood, and that is evident in the mix of uses you see on every block.

What to Do: An Architectural Walking Route

The best thing about Granada is that it is explored on foot. The layout is a grid, with compact blocks and tree-lined streets. Here is a route that covers the essentials, designed for you to take your time and not miss the details.

The Corner of Contrasts: Carrera 36 with Calle 5

Start at this intersection. On the northwest corner is the Casa de la Cultura de Granada, a 1948 building with an exposed brick facade, carved wooden doors, and a hallway that retains the original hydraulic tile floor. Across the street, the Edificio Nexus (2015) is the complete opposite: a reflective glass facade with solar panels on the roof. The tension between the two buildings is so deliberate it seems staged for an architectural theory class.

The House That Became a Gallery: Casa Obeso

At Calle 4 Oeste #36-20 is Casa Obeso, a former family residence from 1952 that now functions as an art gallery and event space. The architectural intervention was minimal but precise: the original wooden sash windows were restored, the granite floors were polished, and a corten steel ramp was added in the backyard to connect the two levels. Admission is free, and there are usually exhibitions by local Cali artists. It's worth it just to see how the midday light enters through the central skylight.

The Building That Defies Gravity: Torre Atrio

At Carrera 37 #5-50 stands Torre Atrio, a 12-story apartment building designed by local architect Mauricio Rojas. What catches the eye is the facade: a lattice of prefabricated concrete that changes color depending on the sunlight and acts as a solar filter. The balconies seem to float because they are supported by steel tension rods anchored to the roof slab. It is not a building that goes unnoticed, and the neighbors have nicknamed it "the honeycomb" for the texture of the lattice.

The Park That Is a Viewpoint: Parque de la 5

At the intersection of Calle 5 and Carrera 38, there is a small triangular park that many tourists overlook. That's a mistake: from here, you get one of the best perspectives of the neighborhood, with the Cerro de las Tres Cruces in the background and the two-story houses in the foreground. The park was redesigned in 2019 with polished concrete furniture and gardens of native species like the seven-bark tree and the veranera. It's a good place to sit and sketch or simply observe how the light changes the texture of the facades.

The Recycled Factory: Taller de Diseño 3

At Calle 3 Oeste #37-10, what was once an industrial welding workshop became Taller de Diseño 3, a space that houses a café, a contemporary furniture store, and an architecture studio. The original metal structure was left exposed, and polycarbonate panels were added to the roof to take advantage of natural light. It is a perfect example of how industrial architecture can be recycled without erasing its history. The café, Café Grano, is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm and Sundays from 9am to 5pm.

Where to Eat or Drink: Architecture on Every Plate

In Granada, food and architecture go hand in hand. Several restaurants occupy historic buildings or were designed by renowned architects. Here are my recommendations.

The Hidden Patio: Restaurante La Gloria

At Carrera 36 #4-30, La Gloria occupies a 1956 mansion that was restored by the firm Arquitectura en Contexto. The best part is not the food (although the plantain-crusted fish is a must), but the inner courtyard. It has a glass roof that lets in light, an exposed brick wall with a bougainvillea vine, and a water fountain that muffles the street noise. The architects preserved the original wooden roof structure and only added a stainless steel bar. Main courses range from $35,000 to $65,000 COP. They are open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 10pm.

Eating in an Old Garage: La Taquería del Barrio

At Calle 5 #37-22, an old gas station was transformed into La Taquería del Barrio. The intervention was radical: the concrete roof slab was kept, the steel columns were painted orange, and sliding glass doors were installed to open the entire place to the street. It is a noisy, youthful spot with a terrace that fills up with people drinking micheladas at night. Tacos cost between $8,000 and $15,000 COP each. They are open Wednesday to Monday, 6pm to 11pm.

Coffee with History: Café de la 38

At Carrera 38 #4-15, this café occupies the ground floor of a 1940s house that retains its original wooden doors and a marble counter. The owners made a minimal intervention: they just painted the walls white and added industrial-style hanging lamps. It is the perfect place for a filter coffee ($4,500 COP) while browsing a book on local architecture. They are open every day from 7am to 9pm.

How to Get There and Transportation

Granada is located in north-central Cali, about 15 minutes by taxi from the Historic Center and 20 minutes from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport. These are the best options for getting there:

• By taxi or Uber: From anywhere in the city, ask to be dropped off at Carrera 36 with Calle 5. The ride from downtown costs between $8,000 and $12,000 COP. From the airport, the trip costs between $40,000 and $55,000 COP.
• By MÍO (public bus): The nearest station is Estación Granada on the Troncal Oriental line. From there, walk 5 minutes west along Calle 5. The fare is $2,800 COP.
• Walking: If you are in the San Antonio neighborhood, you can get there in 20 minutes on foot by crossing the pedestrian bridge over Avenida 3 Norte. It is a pleasant walk that passes by Republican-style houses.
• By bicycle: The city has a public bike system called BiciCali, with stations at Carrera 37 with Calle 4 Oeste. The hourly rate is $1,500 COP.

Local Tips for Architects and Tourists

These tips will help you make the most of your visit, especially if you come with the eyes of an architect or photographer.

• Best light for photos: Between 7am and 9am, the raking sunlight illuminates the exposed brick facades and the moldings of the Republican houses. Long shadows highlight the textures. Avoid midday, when the light is flat and contrasts are lost.
• Look up: Many new buildings have green terraces or rooftop gardens. The Edificio Mirador de Granada (Carrera 37 #5-70) has a public terrace on the 10th floor, open Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. The view of the city is spectacular.
• Don't limit yourself to the main street: Side streets like Calle 3 Oeste and Carrera 39 have houses with fewer commercial interventions and are more authentic. You'll find details like carved wooden doors, wrought iron grilles, and iron balconies.
• Talk to the neighbors: Homeowners are often proud of the neighborhood's history. If you see an open door, it doesn't hurt to ask if you can take a peek at the courtyard. In my experience, most will gladly tell you the story of the house.
• Bring a sketchbook: Granada is a paradise for urban sketching. The perspectives at the corners, the interplay of volumes, and the contrasts of materials are endless material for drawing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to walk around Granada at night?

Yes, it is one of the safest neighborhoods in Cali, especially in the commercial and restaurant areas. Main streets like Carrera 36 and Calle 5 are well-lit and have private security until 11pm. As in any city, avoid dark and empty streets, and do not flaunt valuables. After 10pm, it is best to move by taxi or Uber between destinations.

Are there guided architecture tours in Granada?

Yes, the Fundación Arquitectura Cali organizes walking tours on the first Saturday of each month, departing at 9am from the Casa de la Cultura de Granada. The tour lasts two hours and costs $25,000 COP per person. There are also private options with local guides that can be booked through the foundation's website. It is recommended to reserve at least a week in advance, especially during high season.

How much time is needed to tour the neighborhood?

Taking it easy, to see the buildings well, take photos, and make a stop for a meal or coffee, you need between 3 and 4 hours. If you want to include a visit to Casa Obeso and a long meal at La Gloria, plan for half a day. The neighborhood is compact, but the details are in the pauses, not the speed.