Serena del Mar is a large-scale master-planned community under development in Cartagena, Colombia. The project has been designed by a team of internationally recognized urban planners and architects, including Moshe Safdie, EDSA, Wallace Roberts & Todd, Brandon Haw, and Robert Trent Jones II.[1] Serena del Mar integrates residential, cultural, retail, healthcare, educational, recreational, hospitality, commercial, social, and infrastructure projects within its 2,500-acre site.[2] The development is situated 12 kilometers from Cartagena’s historic old city and 8 kilometers from Rafael Núñez International Airport, in an area with a diverse ecosystem that includes beaches, cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea, mangrove lagoons, and tropical dry forests.[3]
Development Overview
Serena del Mar broke ground in 2015 after years of planning, with significant progress made since then. In 2024, more than 6,000 residents are already living in Serena del Mar and 4,500 are working within its infrastructure.[4]
Key completed projects include:
Hospital Serena del Mar, designed by Moshe Safdie, operated by Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, and ranked #1 in the Caribbean region of Colombia by Newsweek.[5] This hospital, opened in 2021, spans approximately 575,870 square feet, includes 158 beds, and offers various medical services.[6] In 2023, the hospital partnered with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) to provide orthopedic care.[7][8] It is the only hospital in Latin America fully equipped by General Electric (GE).[9]
Universidad de Los Andes Sede Caribe, opened and started offering graduate level and extension courses in 2018 in a new building designed by Brandon Haw.[10]
A micro-utility company that provides energy, sewage, cleaning, and telecommunications services.[12]
Over 10 kilometers of roadways, 7 kilometers of sidewalks, bike paths, parks, sports courts, a marina, a concessioned beach, and a golf practice field.[13][14]
Residential Component
Serena del Mar, as of 2024, hosts 30 residential projects with over 9,800 units either completed or under development.[15] These range from multifamily apartment buildings with waterfront views to beachfront apartments and luxury single-family home lots along the water.[16] The residential developments have been realized through partnerships with 11 of Colombia’s leading developers.[17] As of 2024, more than 6,600 residential units have been sold and more than 6,000 people are living in Serena del Mar.[18]
Ongoing Development and Future Phases
Ongoing and future phases of development in Serena del Mar include additional residential, retail, cultural, educational, and hospitality projects.[19] Plans include the development of:
An 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II [20]
The project’s master plan envisions over 20,000 housing units, including student housing, single-family homes, and multi-family apartment complexes for residents across different socioeconomic levels.[27]
Leadership
The master development firm behind Serena del Mar is Novus Civitas, which has overseen the project’s urban planning, architecture, and infrastructure development.[28] Novus Civitas is led by Colombian businessmen Daniel Haime and Rafael Simón del Castillo.[29][30] The firm has also served as the lead developer, co-developer or general contractor for key projects, including the Hospital Serena del Mar, the University of Los Andes Caribe campus, and various residential developments.[31]
Social Impact
The Fundación Serena del Mar serves as the project's social foundation, working to enhance the quality of life, social development, and environmental conditions for surrounding communities.[32] The foundation has positively impacted 90% of local community members through programs focused on social development, environmental integration, and revenue generation.[33] These initiatives include professional training workshops, educational programs, recreational activities, cultural events, and health conferences. The Fundación celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024 and as of 2024 the foundation served 395 community children in their early childhood program and is responsible for over 100 scholarships.[34]
