During its 471 years, the city of São Paulo has become known for countless historic buildings that have ended up becoming cultural hubs, attracting locals and tourists alike. But few people know the stories behind these popular spots. That's why we've brought you some examples of these buildings and their main curiosities! Check them out: MASP (São Paulo Museum of Art) (Leonardo Finotti/CASACOR)
During its construction, the São Paulo Museum of Artcaused a great deal of discomfort in relation to its daring design, which contained a free span of 74 meters and made the building seem to float over Avenida Paulista. The resistance of Lina Bo Bardi to the initial criticism, the architect who designed the building, resulted in the icon of modern architecture in Brazil and the postcard of the São Paulo capital. Today, the building hosts major exhibitions and promotes different activities for all types of public. Estação da Luz The Estação da Luz was originally planned to be the main gateway to São Paulo. Construction, which began in 1901, was carried out using materials imported from England, which were sent by ship and reassembled in Brazil as if it were a giant puzzle! Over time, the station played a crucial role in the development of the city of São Paulo, connecting it to the countryside and facilitating the transportation of coffee, the main engine of the Brazilian economy at the time. Today, the building serves as a means of public transportation for the population and is connected to other parts of the city by metro and train lines. Copan Building Designed by Oscar Niemeyer and completed in 1966, the Copan is one of the largest residential buildings in the worldo, and has the capacity to hold more than 5,000 people. The building is so large that it has its own CEP! For modern architecture, its wave-shaped design is a major benchmark. The building was initially planned as a luxury project, but was adapted to include affordable housing. It currently has bars, restaurants, cafés, libraries, markets and a lookout point. Edifício Altino Arantes (Banespa/Farol Santander) Prédio do Farol Santander, São Paulo- SP / (Leo Martins/ Veja SP/CASACOR)
Built to be the headquarters of the Banco do Estado de São Paulo (Banespa), the Altino Arantes Building was inaugurated in 1947. During its construction, the building was a symbol of São Paulo's post-war progress and modernization. At 161 meters high, the building was considered the tallest in the city for almost 20 years, and its design was inspired by New York's Empire State Building. In 2018, the building was renamed the "Santander Lighthouse", after an extensive restoration that transformed it into a cultural center and preserved some objects and spaces from the former bank. Today, the site boasts art exhibitions, interactive areas and spaces that celebrate the city's history and culture. Sesc Pompeia One of the architectural landmarks of the city of São Paulo, Sesc Pompéia is the work of Lina Bo Bardi | (Pedro Kok/CASACOR)
Also designed by architect Lina Bo Bardi, Sesc Pompeia was inaugurated in 1982. The complex was built over an old drum factory from the 1930s. The preservation of the industrial sheds to turn them into cultural spaces has made the building a striking example of Brutalist architecture. The contrast between the old brick buildings and the concrete towers pierced by large asymmetrical windows, designed to create ventilation and natural lighting, is a distinguishing feature of the architecture explored there. As with MASP, the innovative design generated controversy at the time, but today it is celebrated as an architectural masterpiece. Rock Gallery Officially called Centro Comercial Grandes Galerias, Galeria do Rock crosses an entire block in the city center, connecting Avenida São João with Rua 24 de Maio. As a symbol of cultural diversity, music and counterculture, the building inaugurated in 1963 and designed by architect Alfredo Mathias has striking curves and a concrete façade decorated with horizontal brises that defines it as modernist. Initially geared towards general retail clothing and services, the building changed its vocation after the boom of rock music and the hippie movement in Brazil during the 1970s. The change continued throughout the 1990s due to the growth of hip hop. This resulted in the diversity of shops there for different types of public. Centro Cultural São Paulo (CCSP) Located in the Liberdade neighborhood, Centro Cultural São Paulo (CCSP) is one of the city's most democratic and innovative spaces, dedicated to promoting culture, art and coexistence. Inaugurated in 1982, the CCSP has a rich history and is a landmark of contemporary Brazilian architecture. The CCSP was conceived as a multifunctional cultural space accessible to all, inspired by European cultural centers such as the Pompidou Center in Paris. The idea was to create a place where different artistic and cultural manifestations could coexist and dialog, catering to different audiences. And so it was! 
