7 iconic buildings on Avenida Paulista that you need to see

An avenue filled with buildings of different styles, sizes and purposes. This is the setting of Avenida Paulista , one of the most important addresses in the city of São Paulo and an architectural landmark of the capital, after all, iconic buildings, with modernist characteristics , fill the path. From David Libeskind to Giancarlo Palanti , the avenue is lined with architectural projects by renowned architects. So, below, discover the most iconic buildings at this address!

1. Anchieta Building, by MMM Roberto

Located between Rua da Consolação and Avenida Angélica, the Anchieta Building , built in 1948, is one of the first residential buildings designed on Avenida Paulista and an icon of modern architecture. Designed by the MMM Roberto office, the building was initially commissioned to serve as a residence for retired industrial workers . In 1963, the body responsible for the administration of the building sold the apartments, giving preference to the then residents (tenants). The building has 72 residential units (single and duplex, with areas ranging from 108 m² to 122 m²) distributed over 10 floors and three stores on the ground floor: two of them closed and the traditional Bar Riviera . In fact, Riviera is one of the reasons for the building's popularity. Founded in 1949, the bar was a meeting point for artists such as Toquinho, Chico Buarque and Elis Regina; it served as inspiration for cartoonist Angeli's characters and was used as a film set. It was closed between 2006 and 2013, when it reopened and regained its place in São Paulo's nightlife.

2. Three Marias Building, by Abelardo de Souza Riedy

Composed of three blocks: Maria Regina, Maria Julia and Maria Cristina, the Três Marias Building was designed by Abelardo Riedy de Souza in 1952. There are 95 apartments in total, with sizes ranging from 140 to 270 m². The highlight of the building, in addition to the use of pink and blue, is the play of elements present on the facade. The balconies on the lower floors face Paulista Avenue; in Haddock, they are on the upper floors. The "L" shape allows the back of the building to remain in good thermal comfort and lighting conditions.

3. Conjunto Nacional, by David Libeskind

In the block that runs through some of the city's most iconic streets – Augusta × Paulista × Padre Manoel da Nóbrega × Santos –, the building stands out as the great monolith designed by architect David Libeskind , and is considered one of the first large multifunctional modern buildings in the city of São Paulo. Built in 1952, the horizontal and vertical layers feature apartments, commercial spaces, shops, restaurants, a theater and a cinema. Bringing together living, leisure and work in a single form. There are 669 commercial spaces, 66 stores and 47 apartments, in addition to the Livraria Cultura space (where the Eva Herz Theater is also located), a gym of almost 5 thousand m², located on the 2nd terrace and the Blue Note Bar and Restaurant.

With construction completed in 1952 , the "Cyprus and Gibraltar" complex of buildings was designed by the Italian architect Giancarlo Palanti and the construction company Alfredo Mathias. On the corner of Avenida Paulista and Rua da Consolação, although they may appear to be a single building , the two buildings have completely different functions and uses. One is exclusively for commercial use , while the other houses residential apartments with independent entrances. Architecturally, the façade draws attention to the horizontal lines of the balconies and window frames, which bring balance and color to the building, since its details are in dark green. The buildings have 12 floors , and the apartments are around 150 meters.

5. Saint Honore Building, by João Artacho Jurado

Designed by the talented self-taught architect-builder João Artacho Jurado , the Saint Honoré Building is located in the middle of the Paulista skyline . The building, unlike what we usually find in the architect's works, is sober in colors and shape. The original work envisaged colored tiles along the entire facade, but the plans changed and the building was constructed entirely neutral . The architect's inspiration for his projects came from a post-war Hollywood style that mixed elements of modern, nouveau, deco and classic.

6. Paulicéia Building, by Gian Carlo Gasperini and Jaques Pilon

Composed of two towers : Pauliceia, facing Avenida Paulista and São Carlos do Pinhal, facing the parallel street of the same name; the project by Gian Carlos Gasperini and Jacques Pilon , with landscaping by Burle Marx , is part of the historical heritage of the city of São Paulo and was listed in 2010. The buildings are composed of elements that are very characteristic of modern architecture: ribbon windows, pilotis, and a façade covered in tiles.

7. United Nations Building, by Abelardo Riedy de Souza

An icon of modern architecture, being one of the pioneering buildings in the verticalization of Paulista Avenue , with mixed use (residential and commercial), the Nações Unidas Building designed by Abelardo Riedy de Souza is composed of two towers with different numbers of floors. Its monumentality, sophistication and lightness are translated through the composition of colors on the façade , the panel by artist Clóvis Graciano facing the street, the openwork ceramic elements, the striking crowning of the towers with a circular openwork slab (a reference to the MOMA project in New York), as well as the gallery ceiling that follows the same language as the crowning, and the 'V' shaped pillars on the ground floor.