Architecture in downtown SP: buildings from 1970 to today

In the third and final part of our series on architecture in downtown São Paulo, we will cover the main buildings built in the region from the 1970s to the present day.

So, if you like architecture , this area of ​​SP or even if you are thinking about living in the capital , continue reading our post to learn more about the architectural styles of these decades and the works that transformed the city's appearance !

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And before we talk about architecture, if you're wondering why, even though it's a wonderful neighborhood, there are still so many empty properties in the center, we have a quick summary here.

Architecture in downtown SP from the 70s onwards

The 1970s were very important for the construction industry in São Paulo, because that was when the verticalization boom occurred in the city, which had begun in the 1930s. During that period, so many buildings were built that even today, most of the buildings in the capital are from the 70s and 80s, can you believe it?

However, the style of buildings from this period is very different from those that were popular in previous decades. The aesthetics of architectural projects during this period were very conservative and standardized, moving away from the modern buildings of the 1940s to 1960s and the grandeur of the buildings built between 1900 and 1930 .

This change in style happened mainly because inflation in Brazil was very high, so the prices of construction materials also became more expensive. In this scenario, many architects chose to make buildings more functional and simple.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Brazilian architecture began to return to bolder and more creative projects. Architecture from this period to the present day is known as contemporary.

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By the way, for architecture lovers, it's worth taking a look at our apartments - there's a listed building from 1908 and a modern contemporary building too!

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This type of architecture brings together references from different styles and decades to create its works. Therefore, contemporary buildings are generally quite plural.

Although there are different characteristics among buildings of this style, there are particularities that unite them. Some of the hallmarks of contemporary works are:

• Concern for sustainability;
• Use of recyclable and natural materials;
• Use of natural light;
• Use of irregular shapes;
• Integrated environments.

And some of the main examples of each of these phases are present in the center of São Paulo , which is still a very important region for the city and the entire country.

Architecture in the center: Main buildings from 1970 to today

Now that you know more about downtown architecture from the 1970s to today, it's cool to see some examples of buildings from that time. Here, we've made a list of 4 great works from that period, from oldest to newest. Check them out:

Ipiranga Building (former Hilton Hotel )

The Ipiranga Building, which is best known for having been the address of the Hilton Hotel for many years, is one of the landmarks of the 1970s in downtown São Paulo. As its name suggests, it is located on Avenida Ipiranga and is part of a famous landscape of the capital along with its neighbors Copan, Itália and Esther.

The building is an architectural landmark in the city center and was designed by architect Mário Bardelli. Unlike most of the simple buildings of the time, it was built to be one of the first luxury hotels in São Paulo. In addition to being designed by Bardelli, its garden was designed by Burle Marx and its swimming pool by Oscar Niemeyer. So it's easy to understand why this is an important building in the city to this day, right?

Since it opened in 1971, the building has stood out in the city center due to its great height and cylindrical shape. Its interior was a hit thanks to its luxurious rooms, restaurants, party rooms and theater.

Today, the façade, garden and pool are considered historical heritage sites. As such, they cannot be altered. However, the interior has been significantly modified, as the building has belonged to the Court of Justice of São Paulo since 2007 and serves as the office of judges.

Patriarch's Square Portico

This item on our list is not a building, but rather a very imposing and striking contemporary architectural work in downtown São Paulo. The Praça do Patriarca Portico was designed by Paulo Mendes da Rocha, one of the greatest Brazilian architects, in 1992. However, the portico was only completed in 2002.

The work is a large metal structure with a span of 40 meters, which was created to cover the entrance to the Galeria Prestes Maia (which is underground and connects Praça do Patriarca to Vale do Anhangabaú ). It is so grand that it is impossible to miss it when walking through downtown São Paulo!

Arts Square

Praça das Artes is a cultural complex that was created to accommodate the artistic teams of the Theatro Municipal de São Paulo and also to increase the institution's activities, such as exhibitions and art demonstrations.

Despite being connected to a very famous building in downtown São Paulo, the Praça das Artes building itself has become a symbol of the region. It was designed by architect Marcos Cartum in partnership with the Brasil Arquitetura office, led by Francisco Fanucci and Marcelo Ferraz.

Its creation was challenging, because the building needed to be modern and attractive to the local public, but it also had to encompass the building of the Dramatic and Musical Conservatory of São Paulo without making too many changes to it. After all, it is listed as a historical heritage site.

The result was an imposing concrete building with geometric windows and open spaces for circulation. Praça das Artes was inaugurated in 2012 and has already received awards for its design, such as Best Architectural Work of 2012 (from the São Paulo Association of Art Critics) and Building of the Year 2013 (Icon Awards).

Sesc May 24th

You've probably heard of Sesc 24 de Maio, such is its fame. Even though it's a relatively new place in São Paulo, it's already won over the locals and visitors to the capital.

This Sesc was opened in 2017 and stands out in the center of São Paulo, more precisely on the corner of Rua 24 de Maio and Rua Dom José de Barros, due to its glass-covered facade and its rooftop pool.

The building's look is modern and bold, but its structure was already there long before 2017. The building chosen to house Sesc was quite famous in the 1970s, as it housed the Mesbla department store. Instead of demolishing it, Paulo Mendes Rocha wanted to take advantage of the famous structure and renovated the place.

The project, carried out in partnership with the MMBB Arquitetos Associados office, began to be designed in 2002. Inside the current building, what really draws attention is the floor below the pool, which has a water mirror and an incredible view.

These buildings end our series on the buildings in downtown São Paulo in a perfect way, don't you think? Because they are very different from each other and bring distinct beauties to this important region of the city.

After checking out our series on architecture, your admiration and passion for the capital of São Paulo has probably increased. So, check out now how to rent a room in SP to live in this intense and passionate city!

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