Companies

Ghosts of the past: Former US buildings in Cuba today

The U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba on Aug. 12, 2015.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

The battle over Cuba ended in 1959 with victory for Marxist rebels, and the new regime under Fidel Castro seized foreign property—along with almost all other private assets—and put them under control of the state.

Many of those seized properties belonged to U.S. companies, which had thrived in Cuba under the U.S.-friendly dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista that the rebels overthrew.

More than 55 years later, as the United States raised its flag over a new embassy in Havana, many of the buildings that once housed U.S. companies still stand—under different management. Click ahead to see what those buildings look like today.

—By CNBC's Justin Solomon, with Ted Kemp
Posted 14 Aug. 2015..

Chase Manhattan

The former US Chase Manhattan bank building in Havana, Cuba.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

Banco de Credito & Comercio is housed in what was once an office of Chase Manhattan, a bank that was later was folded into JPMorgan Chase.

Woolworths

A former Woolworth's store which is now used as a "10 Cent Store", the equivalent of a dollar store in the United States.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

A former Woolworths store is now a "10 Cent store"—the equivalent of a dollar store in the United States.

Western Union

A former Western Union location which is now home to Etecsa, the Cuban telephone company. People here wait in line to purchase internet time.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

A former Western Union location is now home to Etecsa, the Cuban telephone company. Here people wait in line to purchase Internet time.

National City Bank of New York

The former First National City Bank of NY in Havana, Cuba.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

A building that once held an office of First National City Bank of New York (which became Citigroup) now houses a branch of the state banking system.

First National Bank of Boston

The former First National Bank of Boston (Bank of America) houses offices of the Central Bank of Cuba.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

The former First National Bank of Boston (Bank of America) is home to the offices of the Central Bank of Cuba.

General Electric

The former General Electric offices in Havana, where workers are building a new school.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

Once General Electric Havana, this location is where workers are building what they said is a new school.

Sears

The former Sears Roebuck and Co. in Havana is now a computer center for Cubans to use the internet.
Justin Solomon | CNBC

This former Sears Roebuck and Co. location is now a computer center for Cubans to use the Internet.

Coca Cola

The former Coca-Cola building in Havana, ironically painted the company colors. The Building now houses the headquarters of the state-owned "Beverage Company of Havana".
Justin Solomon | CNBC

The old Coca Cola Building in Havana ironically retained its company colors. The facility now houses the headquarters of the state-owned "Beverage Company of Havana."