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Historic building razed
This little kitty's looking for a home

A president once lived here

photos and story by Eric Jackson

A part of Perejil --- the upper part of what was in the 19th century Mr. Perry's hilltop farm --- derives its name from this now bygone landmark, Castillo El Millón. It used to be the mansion of Domingo Díaz Arosemena, who served as president of Panama in 1948 and 1949. In more recent times it housed the Pie X toy store, which for years had been falling ever farther behind its competition in the shopping malls.

Historic preservationists tried in vain to save the building. Really, the only way to save most historic structures is to buy them, and Panama's tax laws discourage this.

With the exception of some special legislation for the Casco Viejo and Panama Viejo, there are no tax incentives for saving and restoring grand old buildings. Panama's property tax laws do encourage new construction by giving years with no taxes, although these incentives are being gradually reduced.