“El Castillo de Dracula” they whisper. That’s what some call the Residencia Maguire. Right here on Avenida Alvear it stands a stark contrast to the elegance of its neighbours.
This is the Residencia Maguire a late-Victorian mansion. It’s one of the few remaining aristocratic palaces in Buenos Aires. Most were demolished after 1930. But this one survived. It’s a National Historic Monument now recognised for its importance.
Its story begins in 1890. Alejandro Hume a successful railway entrepreneur commissioned its construction. Architect Carlos Ryder designed this grand house. Materials came from Scotland Hume’s homeland. Imagine the journey those bricks made.
In 1893 the Residencia Maguire hosted a significant event. One of Buenos Aires’ first art exhibitions took place here. It was a charity event for the Círculo de Santa Cecilia. Eduardo Schiaffino curated the exhibition. Over 125 paintings 68 pieces of furniture and hundreds of other objects were shown. It was a remarkable display of private collections. It even helped lay the groundwork for the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.
Later in 1913 Carlos Thays designed the private gardens. They extend towards Calle Posadas. He filled them with native and exotic plants. A hidden oasis within the city.
The Hume family eventually sold the palace. The Duhau siblings Alberto Maria Faustina and Maria Candelaria purchased it. This explains why it’s also called Palacio Duhau. But don’t confuse it with another residence of the same name.
Susana Duhau married John Walter Maguire. The house then took its current name. Today her daughter still lives here. It is the only aristocratic residence on Avenida Alvear still functioning as a home. Most others became hotels or government buildings.
This mysterious mansion continues to captivate. Its Gothic details earn it the nickname “Dracula’s Castle”. Its imposing façade hints at untold stories. Few ever see inside. It remains a secret guarded closely. A legacy of a bygone era a testament to its strength and enduring mystery. The Residencia Maguire a true Buenos Aires marvel.