“Spare parts and striking design. Who knew they could go hand in hand?” That’s what you might have thought seeing Comercio Merlinsky y Syrowicz for the first time. This building stands at the corner of Calle Mercedes and Río Branco. It is in Montevideo’s Barrio Centro.
Comercio Merlinsky y Syrowicz was built in 1955. Ildefonso Aroztegui designed it. He was born on July 19, 1916 and died on November 10, 1988. Originally, it was a commercial building. It served as a space for automotive spare parts sales for Merlinsky & Syrowicks. Today, it houses family court offices.
Notice the building’s distinct sections. A faceted prism dominates the corner. It appears both grounded and separate from adjoining walls. This prism once housed storage. The base is open. It invites the city in. It held offices and exhibition space. Here, customers could browse and make purchases.
The side walls also play a key role. They act as contrasting backdrops to the main structure. They stop at the property line. This highlights the building’s independence. Horizontal window strips run along the facade. They are set back from the masonry. This strengthens the building’s horizontal emphasis. It also makes its abstract geometry more relatable. In the storage area, the walls form niches. These niches held shelves for spare parts. This design echoes Mies van der Rohe’s 1923 office building project.
Between these sections is a transition level. It houses a large hall and boardroom. This level aligns with the upper section’s facade. It connects to the base through transparent walls. Its height is between the base and the storage levels.
The building’s layout adapts to the irregular lot shape. The architect cleverly placed a courtyard at the rear. This courtyard provides light and air. It also houses restrooms, stairs, elevators, and a freight elevator. There is a second service core on the facade in the base. It includes a bas-relief. This core extends through all levels. It rises above the roof. Its materials connect it to the side walls. Its verticality contrasts the strong horizontal lines.
The main entrance is on Mercedes Street near the west side wall. Here, the base is set back from the property line. On the Río Branco facade, glass panels almost reach the edge. They meet the bas-relief. This creates a secondary entrance and vehicle access. Inside, a light staircase connects the ground floor to the mezzanine. This mezzanine overlooks the space. The double-height space enhances the ground floor’s ambiance.
The building’s urban character is clear. Its open base welcomes the public. The bas-relief on Río Branco adds to this effect. A clock was originally planned for the facade. This would have further emphasized this intention.
Comercio Merlinsky y Syrowicz is more than a building. It showcases Ildefonso Aroztegui’s architectural vision. Its rational geometric design reflects a strong formal austerity. The facade maintains a consistent treatment on both sides. The window heights are the only difference. This building is now a designated Bien de Interés Departamental since 2015. It’s a testament to Montevideo’s architectural heritage. Take a moment to appreciate its design. Consider its past as a hub for auto parts and its present as a place of justice. It’s a building that truly tells a story.