Bogotá heritage institute investigates unauthorized modification of Salmona-designed stairs

The District Institute of Cultural Heritage (IDPC) has launched an investigation into the unauthorized modification of an original staircase at the Altos de Santana residential complex in northern Bogotá. Designed by renowned architect Rogelio Salmona, the building was declared a Cultural Interest Asset (BIC) in 2010.

The investigation follows social media reports showing that a resident, designer Andrea Mallarino, replaced the original red brick stairs—a signature element of Salmona’s work—without the required heritage authorization. Because the building is under level 2 conservation, architectural elements such as circulation spaces and interior stairs are protected to preserve the project's typological integrity.

The designer and the apartment owner could face significant fines, with some estimates suggesting penalties could reach up to 1,750 million pesos. Experts note that the staircase is not merely a functional element but a central component of the architectural design that manages the site's slope and light distribution.