The Medical Arts Building, completed in 1940 by renowned architect Joseph O’Kelly, is a notable example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and a key part of the Capitol District’s historic fabric in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Representing a pivotal moment in the stylistic evolution tied to the establishment of U.S. governance on the island, the building had significant historical and architectural value but had fallen into severe disrepair. Upon assessment, the south façade showed major concrete spalling and missing cast stone ornamentation; on the north façade, about 90% of the windows were sealed due to corrosion-related damage. The east courtyard had deteriorated windows and was being misused as storage for outdated equipment, while the west façade, though less compromised, exhibited similar degradation.

The restoration project involved careful rehabilitation of the building’s exterior and interior while upgrading its infrastructure to meet current codes and functional needs. New staircases were discreetly inserted to satisfy egress requirements, and the neglected service courtyard was transformed into a double-height auditorium with a rooftop courtyard and vertical garden that nods to Puerto Rico’s tropical landscape. Formerly utilitarian rooftop areas were converted into landscaped terraces with sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, San Juan Bay, and Old San Juan. This intervention not only preserves the building’s historic character but reimagines it as a vibrant, usable space honoring the past while serving contemporary needs.