Marvelous aren’t they? Those twin towers of Edificio La Inmobiliaria. They pierce the Buenos Aires sky.
Edificio La Inmobiliaria. This magnificent building wasn’t always known by that name. It began life as the Palacio Heinlein. Antonio Devoto a visionary businessman commissioned its construction. He wanted to celebrate the Centennial of the May Revolution in style. The Italian architect Luigi Broggi was the mastermind behind its design. The year was 1910. The building was finished.
La Inmobiliaria insurance company occupied the first floor. Guillermo Heinlein’s sanitary ware import business thrived on the ground floor. This gave the building its original name. The upper floors housed apartments. These were some of the city’s first rental apartments. A popular brewery Cervecería Berna sat on the ground floor too. Its lively atmosphere drew many patrons.
Edificio La Inmobiliaria’s eclectic style is a breathtaking blend of Italian neo-Renaissance and Art Nouveau influences. Notice the two brick towers. They rise to 68 meters. On the top floor nestled in the building’s ochavas are sculptures of Venus and Apollo.
Look closely at the loggias on the Avenida de Mayo facade. These are galleries supported by classic Italian columns and arches. Their walls once featured intricate sgraffito work. Sadly only traces remain today. The golden polychrome mosaic sign proclaiming “La Inmobiliaria” is a relatively recent addition.
The building has survived storms and the passage of time. One of the cupolas was restored in 1968. Sadly a storm in 1994 damaged its twin. The damaged cupola was carefully dismantled and completely restored. The restoration revealed that the damage could have occurred a decade earlier. The two cupolas now proudly stand matching in their reddish hue.
Today Edificio La Inmobiliaria stands as a symbol of Buenos Aires’ rich past. The building houses a branch of Banco Nación and the Institute of Legal History Research. Many businesses also call it home. Numerous apartments remain as well. Its historical significance has earned it structural protection. It’s a reminder of the city’s blend of architectural styles. Its history is a testament to the vision of Antonio Devoto. The building’s legacy endures. It’s a place where history and the modern world seamlessly coexist.