San Martin Square Palaces, a list of the buildings that will dazzle your eyes, so you don’t miss out on knowing them!
They are located exactly on the same block, so visiting them will be very easy. They have an architecture that stands out above the other buildings in this area and, for this very reason, have a great value.
In this other note we tell you more details about San Martín Square, but, in this case, we want to bring you details about the palaces that surround it and that, without a doubt, will attract your attention.
You will notice that many have many features of the French style, which were built between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
Now yes, let’s go into the details of each one:
San Martín Palace
Currently, it is the building of the Argentine Chancellery, which was owned by the Anchorena Family. It is located on Arenales Street, just in front of San Martín Square.
Of clear French composition, to be precise, of French classicism, it is located on an axis perpendicular to Arenales street and another that cuts at 90 degrees. It has a courtyard of honor with access to the three houses that make up this building inside. In turn, it has a winter garden that was built in metal smithy.
Declared a National Historical Monument in 1994, it is one of the buildings that officiates as a living testimony of the history of Argentina.
Its symbology and architecture, in addition to its functionality, express the aspirations, values and ideology of the Creole elite and landowners of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Military Circle
Known as the Peace Palace for being the residence of the Family of José C. Paz, founder of the newspaper La Prensa.
It is one of the largest and most elegant residences that were built at the beginning of the 20th century. It is located on an irregular plot, where its front is perched on the four streets that limit this block. Its façade has characteristics of classic French architecture. It has a huge Hall of Honor in the shape of a circle with a total diameter of 16 meters and a height of 21, which acts as a link with the gardens through a staircase that will be quite impressive.
In total, it has 100 rooms in its 12,000 square meters. Here you will find antique mirrors, furniture, marble ornaments, blacksmithing, and even fabrics that were brought directly from Europe.
In 1938, the Military Circle was the one who acquired this building and where, today, the Museum of Weapons of the Nation and the National Military Library are located. We leave you their website here for more information.
Haedo Palace
Home of the Haedo Family, it is the current Headquarters of the National Parks Administration.
Although its history is not so precise, it was built in 1870 for this family, which later passed through the hands of the Villar family to end up as Popular Bank, later acquired in 1942 by the National State to convert it into the current Parks building. At that time, the building underwent modifications to be able to condition it to its new function.
With Italian Neo-Renaissance style, very popular around the middle of the 19th century, long before the French style became commonplace. The main facade had eighths that were crowned with needles at their tips. Due to the renovations, it was converted into a neo-Gothic mansion, to which a mansard roof with tiles and one more floor were added, as well as a cladding simulating stone with ornaments on all its balconies.
It was declared a National Historic Monument in 2001.
Plaza Hotel
It is the first luxury hotel built in Buenos Aires, by businessman Ernesto Tornquist.
With a huge list of amenities that were truly exceptional for that time, it became one of the most luxurious hotels in South America.
It was built in 1909, work carried out by the German-born architect Alfred Zucker, it was considered too advanced a work for the time in which it was created.
With a German baroque style, its imprint was preserved throughout its remodeling and extensions. Countless international personalities from sports, art and politics have been guests of this elegant 5-star hotel in Buenos Aires.
Currently, it is part of the Marriot chain.
Kavanagh Building
The owner of this place was Corina Kavanagh and it is a building that was inaugurated in 1936. At that time, it was the most gigantic concrete building in South America, 120 meters high and with countless luxury details.
It is considered a symbol of the architecture of Buenos Aires. Several of the low houses that were an annex to the Hotel were demolished for its construction.
Due to its staggered shape, it was possible to install garden terraces, as well as washing and ironing workshops, a central telephone system, centralized air conditioning (quite advanced for its time) and a cold room. With a total of 105 apartments, it does not have garages or an electric gate.
Its construction began in 1934, to be inaugurated in 1936. In 1999 it was declared a National Historic Monument, the same date that UNESCO decided to include it in the World Heritage of Modern Architecture.
There is a legend that tells a story about its construction, which was the result of revenge for a forbidden love. Supposedly, Corina Kavanagh was in a relationship with one of the children of the famous Anchorena Family, who forced their breakup because Corina was not part of a patrician family. Consequently, a giant building was ordered to block the view of the Anchorena house, which overlooked the Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament, a construction that would be the future sepulcher of the family. Although we are not sure that this is really the story behind this building, we find a lot of sense due to its location and imprint!
If you want to know more curiosities about Buenos Aires, we invite you to join our Free Tours here!
To find out everything you can do in the Recoleta neighborhood, follow this link.
Leave A Comment