In 1976 the government of Puerto Rico acquired the Ballajá Infantry Barracks Building (Antiguo Cuartel de Ballajá) ( 787 721-3737) from the federal government of the United States of America by way of a transfer with a commitment to restore and use the building for cultural, educational and touristic purposes.

In 1986 the restoration of The Barracks began under the "Plan de Reforma Interior de la Zona Histórica de San Juan" (San Juan Interior Historic Zone Restoration Plan). The restoration work was realized from 1990 to 1993. Previously , in 1992 "El Museo de las Américas" (Museum of the Americas, second floor), was founded, with various exhibitions pertaining to the cultural history of Puerto Rico and the Americas.

It is currently home to organizations such as:

First Floor

The dance school, tablao and cultural space Paulette Beauchamp/DanzActiva 787 775 9438
Restaurant y movie theatre Cine Bar 1950 787.708.6113
Coffee shop and museum Don Ruiz - Roastery, Museum and Café 787.723-1462
 

Second Floor

El Museo de las Américas (The Museum of the Americas) 787 724 5052
Foundedin 1992, Dr. Ricardo E. Alegría, presents an extensive program of permanent expositions and activities, that highlight aspects of culture from Puerto Rico and the Americas.  
 

Third Floor

The Puerto Rico Academy of the Spanish Language 787 721 6070
The State Office of Historic Conservation 787 721-3737 

Major events also occur throughout the year such as opera, concerts, festivals and artesans fairs to name a few. 

El Cuartel de Ballaja (The Ballaja Infantry Barracks Building) was constructed by the Spanish army between 1854 and 1864. The structure is one of the most impressive constructed by Spain in the New World and it stands as the last example of monumental military architecture by the Spanish Monarchy in the Americas.

Located on a lot of approximately three acres between Morovis, Beneficencia and Norzagaray streets, y occupies six city blocks of the Ballaja community (Barrrio Ballaja) that were expropriated and demolished in 1853.

Used until 1898 as infantry barracks and permanent housing for aproximately a thousand soldiers, it consisted of rooms for officers, solders and their families, storage, kitchens, dining rooms, jail cells and stables for horses. The ascending vaulted gothic ceilings above the main staircase are unique in Puerto Rico

On the 12th of May in 1898, during the bombing of San Juan by Admiral William T. Sampson's United State of America naval squadron, the northwest side the Barracks were damaged. After the change of sovereignty the Americans also used the facilities as barracks until 1939. After that date it became the Rodríguez Hospital .

This important historic resource built for military purposes, has evolved with the passage of time becoming a cultural center, rendering tribute to Puerto Rico's rich cultural heritage.

In the future this page will include more information about the history of Ballajá and the surrounding community known historically as Barrio Ballajá (the Ballajá Quarter) where one can find other important cultural spaces such as Liga de Arte de San Juan (The Art Students League) and  La Escuelas de Artes Plásticas (The School of Visual Arts).