Our building housed Polo Norte Fábrica de Sodas, founded by Captain Ángel Rivero Méndez in 1902. Rivero Méndez, a Puerto Rican soldier, writer, journalist and businessman, is credited with inventing the Kola Champagne soft drink in this iconic building.
It is historically known as one of the first and most important soda factories on the island, and one of the best in all the Antilles.
This building is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Old San Juan — its façade still bears the original tiles imported from the luxury store Casa González on the Gran Vía in Spain.