Recife gains event venue with project by Paulo Mendes da Rocha

Recife gains a new space for events, shows and gatherings: the Mirante do Paço , which is located on the rooftop of the Paço Alfândega garage building and brings back one of the most traditional meeting points of Pernambuco society.

The 4,000 square meter space has been given new landscaping, modernized infrastructure and access, enhancing the original project by renowned architects Paulo Mendes da Rocha and Milton Braga.

The architectural project for the internal renovation was designed by the Porto Neves Arquitetura office, led by partners Luciana Neves and Adriana Porto.

The main difference at Mirante do Paço is the terrace, which offers a 360-degree view of Recife . The outdoor area has a two-meter-high glass railing, which provides safety and comfort without interfering with the view, which is one of the most beautiful in the capital of Pernambuco.

“We are looking to rescue a place that contributes to the life of the Recife neighborhood, with a more modern infrastructure that is compatible with the comfort of all visitors,” explains Ronald Menezes, one of the partners in this new venture.

“Before these adaptations, the terrace, which is one of the most visually beautiful places in Recife, was very underused. Now the city has a charming new event venue , fully in line with the new vibrant moment in the city center.”

The garage building was completed in 2005 and was created to support the Paço Alfândega, housed in a historic 18th century building. The great challenge was to verticalize the garages , respecting their alignment and scale, without giving up the harmonious dialogue with the surroundings, where the Capibaribe River, the port pier and the Maurício de Nassau Bridge stand out. Paulo Mendes da Rocha and Milton Braga presented a bold project proposal, with two blocks in mixed-use buildings , working especially on the ground floor and roof, the two most important levels in the urban environment, and reserving the four intermediate floors for garages. The two volumes are connected by concrete bridges that cross the public road at the height of the second, third and fourth floors. One of the blocks has a set of stores on the ground floor, entirely occupied by the Livraria Jaqueira.