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Barrio Norte |
Barrio Norte neighborhood is an area formed mainly by the traditional neighborhood of Recoleta and it also comprises a small sector of Palermo and Retiro neighborhoods. This is a very attractive area distinguished by the elegant streets and avenues that form it, with elegant buildings of different styles. Besides, there are many gastronomic places such as tea houses, coffee shops, ice-cream parlors, pubs and restaurants, which are neatly decorated and with nice atmospheres to take a rest, enjoy and have a great time.
In Barrio Norte area you will find small palaces and mansions that belonged to wealthy Argentine families of the 19th century and the beginnings of the 20th. In the majority of the cases, they were built with material specially brought from Europe for its building.
Álzaga Unzué Mansion
This elegant construction was built in 1919 at the request of the aristocrat family Álzaga Unzué. The façades of this monumental building are similar to the French castles situated in the Loria region, combining brick with stone.
This mansion, situated in 1455 Cerrito Street, was part of the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel from 1989 to 2003, year in which the hotel was bought by the Four Seasons chain. The Álzaga Unzué palace, a work by the architect Roberto Prentice (1916-1919), was one of the first mansions or palaces used as a luxurious emblem of a hotel, preserving its style, luxuriousness and comfort. Its bathrooms have marble and gold-plated faucets and count with sophisticated and elegant halls for receptions and special events. It is called “La Maison” (the Mansion).
Carlos Pellegrini Small Square
It is a reduced space, triangular-shaped, located in the limit between Recoleta neighborhood (belongs to this area) and Retiro neighborhood. It is comprised by the picturesque Arroyo and Libertad streets and Alvear Avenue, where three typical and stunning mansions of noble architecture with French Bourbon influence are placed: the Embassy of Brazil in 1399 Cerrito St. and the Jockey Club, in 1345 Alvear Av. Going on by this last avenue, you will see the Apostolic Nunciature in 1637 Alvear Av., where John Paul II stayed when he visited Argentina; there are also two other small palaces, the Duhau Residence and Palace, located in 1671 and 1683 Alvear Av. respectively. Facing these two charming buildings, in the intersection of Rodriguez Peña St. and 1690 Alvear Av., you will find the National Culture department, built in 1889.
Embassy of Brazil
The building of this noble French palace, located in 1130 Arroyo St., was requested by the aristocrat family Pereda. They wanted this building to be like the Museum Jacquemart André of Paris (a palace built between 1869 and 1875) and to the Fontainebleau Castle. At first, the construction was on the hands of the French architect Martín in 1917; from 1919 on, the construction passed to the hands of the Belgium architect, Julio Dormal and it was finished in 1936.
The resemblance to the Museum Jacquemart André was not limited only to the architecture and external design; it also resembled its interior decoration: a collection of furniture, objects, paintings and sculptures.
The façade of Arroyo St. is an exponent of the classic French architecture of the end of the Second Empire. The huge Corinthian pilasters, the cylindrical central body and the lateral wings resemble the Parisian residences of the second half of the 18th century. This place preserves an important furniture and an artistic heritage, reflected in sculptures, paintings, tapestries and carpets. There are murals by José María Sert, such as “Los Equilibristas” (the acrobats), ““El Aseo de Don Quijote” (Don Quijote’s toilet) and “El Agujero Celeste” (the light blue hole). The family inhabited the residence until 1945, when it was sold to the government of Brazil’s Federative Republic and became Brazil’s diplomatic central office in Argentina. Very near this place, you will find the Carlos Pellegrini Monument in the small square that bears this same name, in honor of Argentina’s president who ruled from 1890 to 1892.
Embassy of France
The majestic four-floor, neo-Bourbon building of the embassy of France was built in 1913 for the Ortiz Basualdo family by the French architect, Pablo Peter. In 1939, the French government would bought the property to establish the embassy there. The French president Charles de Gaulle stayed in this elegant palace with his retinue in 1964, when he visited Argentina. The embassy is situated in 1390 Cerrito street.
Jockey Club Palace
In its beginnings, it was an elegant palace that belonged to Concepción Unzué de Casares, located in the elegant Alvear Avenue. Later, it became part of a non-profit institution called Jockey Club, founded in 1882 by Carlos Pellegrini. It has an interesting library and art works in its interior.
Santa Fe Avenue
This avenue, that surrounds the elegant neighborhoods of Recoleta and Palermo, is a main thoroughfare to travel round the area, especially to appreciate the elegant boutiques of quality clothing products.
Callao Avenue
This is other elegant avenue to go shopping deserves to be traveled around as well as Rodríguez Peña, Montevideo, Arenales and Juncal streets, due to its distinguished architecture and elegant shops.
Rodríguez Peña Square
This square, full of green spaces, is surrounded by Callao Av. and Paraguay, Rodríguez Peña and Marcelo T. de Alvear streets, in Barrio Norte neighborhood.
The square’s name is in honor of Nicolás Rodríguez Peña (1775-1853), an Argentine patriot, member of the Second Triumvirate and president of the State Council in 1814, a time when the country was going through difficult times to gain independence from the Spanish crown and get organized in the political sphere. At a few feet from this square, you find the Pizzurno Palace, located in the same street that bears its name.
Vicente López Square
This other square is surrounded by Montevideo, Juncal, Paraná and Arenales streets and it is worth visiting.
The Sagrado Corazón chapel is situated near this square.
Aguas Corrientes Palace
This is the present central office of the company Aguas Argentinas (the public utility service of treating water and sewer), located in Recoleta neighborhood, specifically in 1950 Córdoba Av. Declared National Historical Monument in 1987, this is a huge building that used to be a huge distribution water tank. Comprised by Viamonte, Riobamba, Ayacucho and Córdoba streets, it has been a marvelous public undertaking. Its exterior resembles a palace surrounded by gardens and presents a cast iron railing, according to the buildings constructed in that period. No doubt its walls hide an unparalleled and great Latin American engineering work. Designed in 1883 by a Norwegian architect Olaf Boye, its construction was directed by the Swedish engineer Carlos Nyströmer. A Belgian company, Martillee and Coulliet, made the stunning metal framework that supported the iron tanks with 72 millions of liters of water.
The façade of this splendid architectural work is faced in terracotta, ceramics and vitrified bricks brought from England, where this architectural work was designed.
The doors of the monumental building are made of cedar wood brought from Paraguay and with bronze iron fittings.
In its interior, the most distinguishing features are: the decorated ceiling, the stained-glass windows, the lamps and the colored-mosaic floors with two motifs, keeping the magnificent style of its exterior.
The palace was officially inaugurated in 1894, turning into one of the most original buildings of the city’s heritage.
The building has a Historical Museum, with halls that exhibit the evolution in the water installations. It is open from Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm, admission free. Tel: 4379-0115 Ext. 752.
Bel Air Hotel
This attractive hotel was situated in a building that dates back to 1927, of Spanish Churrigueresque Baroque style.
The project and building work direction was by the architect Pablo Fisher, who has taken part in several recycling projects of many constructions such as apartments, hotels and shops.
Many original elements were preserved: the structure and the valuable façade, its basic installations, among them, the stairs. Modern equipments were installed, such as the air conditioning system.
The furniture of its rooms resembles the thirties, a peak period in Argentina.
The aim of its design was focused on achieving a European image and setting that could fit into the distinguished Barrio Norte neighborhood.
The front desk and the restaurant Bis a Bis were designed in the year 2000 by the talented Ricardo Plant, who managed to create a balanced harmony with the rest of the areas located in the first floor.
The hotel is situated in 1462 Arenales street. |
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