Palaces of Buenos Aires
Palaces of Buenos Aires, a tour of the most impressive buildings in the city.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city was one of the most powerful and wealthy places in the world. At that time, Buenos Aires underwent enormous urban changes with an influence on architecture and urbanism by French fashion. Several families of the Buenos Aires aristocracy made the decision to renew their lifestyle, moving to the north of Buenos Aires, precisely to the neighborhoods of Palermo, Recoleta and Retiro where they built their new homes.
The consequence of these decisions resulted in an immense collection of imposing and majestic palaces that currently continue to decorate and beautify the streets.
Here we want to tell you about the most luxurious and important Palaces of Buenos Aires, so that you can marvel at their architecture and unique designs:
San Martin Palace
Currently, it is the Headquarters of the Argentine Chancellery, but originally it was the home of the Anchorena Family. The construction of this palace was in charge of Alejandro Cristophersen at the request of Mrs. María Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena.
It has an ogival reception with two important stairs of honor that lead to the upper floor (or piano nobile). The façade follows the lines marked out by the Beaux Arts school in Paris.
In 1936 it was acquired as property of the Argentine Chancellery, changing its name to “San Martín Palace” as the headquarters of the National Diplomacy.
Peace Palace
Listed as the largest palace in the city, it has 12,000 m2. House of José Camilo Paz who was the founder of the newspaper La Prensa, its façade is a living memory of a French Chateau with elegant crowning and high walls.
The main door is one of the greatest jewels of Buenos Aires, through which you access the Great Round Hall, which is currently intact, dazzling everyone who visits it.
Today, this Palace belongs to the Military Circle, and can be visited by appointment. Here is the link for more information! Also, you can visit the Weapons Museum that is located next to the Peace Palace.
Ortíz Basualdo Palace
It is the most elegant and distinguished palace in Buenos Aires. It has an immense dome with a lamp that crowns the end of Alvear Avenue right on the border between the Recoleta and Retiro neighborhoods.
Built for the Ortíz Basualdo Family, it was decorated by the famous Manson Jansen decoration house in Paris.
Here, the Prince of Wales Edward VII stayed when he visited the country.
In 1939, the French State bought this property to serve as its embassy. It was close to being demolished in the 70s for the construction of the Illia Highway, but the French opposed it and managed to keep it standing so that today we can enjoy its beauty.
Pereda Palace
Currently, it is the Embassy of Brazil, but originally it was the home of Celedonio Pereda, who had the pleasure of having a palace with a façade inspired by the National Museum of France in Paris.
The low ceilings in this place are the work of José María Sert, a renowned painter of Catalan origin.
In 1945, after the death of Pereda, the Brazilian State acquired this building to convert it into its embassy to this day.
Álzaga Unzué Mansion
It was the mansion that Féliz Saturnino de Álzaga and Elena Peña Unzué acquired after their marriage, which today is the The Mansion Suite of the well-known Four Seasons Hotel.
It is one of the most elegant, luxurious and refined places in the city, where many celebrities have stayed, such as the Rolling Stones and Madonna.
You can enjoy this beauty by visiting the Restaurant in the Hotel.
Fernández Anchorena Palace
Currently, it is the Apostolic Nunciature, the Embassy of the Vatican. But, here lived Adelia Harilaos de Olmos, one of the most important women in the history of Buenos Aires, president of the Charitable Society with an immense charitable and philanthropic work throughout the country. Appointed pontifical marquise, she was a personality close to the Church and was the one who organized the Eucharistic Congress in 1934. After her death, she donated this house to the Church where, today, is the Nunciature and this is where stayed Pope John Paul II when he visited Argentina.
Duhau Palace
Mansion that belonged to the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Duhau. Currently, it is a part of the Park Hyatt Hotel, which has a modern building on the other side of the ravine and this historic building. Both buildings are separated by a beautiful terraced park with a luxury restaurant that you can enjoy!
Maguire Residence
It is a beautiful mansion that will dazzle you when you walk along the famous Alvear Avenue. Contrasting with its exposed brick style and large bars worked with excellent ironwork, it has a British design that stands out from the rest of the city’s palaces.
It was the home of the Scottish-born railway businessman Alejandro Hume, to be later bought by the Duhau Family.
Currently, it is still a private residence, so you will only be able to see its exterior.
Errazuriz Palace
Built by René Sargent, an architect of French origin at the request of Matías Errazuriz, a Chilean diplomat, and his wife Josefina de Alvear.
It is one of the most dazzling and largest palaces in Buenos Aires, which you can easily visit, given that since 1944 it became the National Museum of Decorative Art.
Its entrance is open to the public and in addition to enjoying its architecture, you can be dazzled by the Museum’s samples, from neo-medieval, baroque and even Art Deco. Here is its website for more information.
Bosch Palace
It is currently the United States Embassy, but it was the home of the Bosch Family. At the initiative of Ambassador Robert Bliss, it was purchased from Ernesto Bosch, chancellor of the national government.
It was also the work of René Sergent, with a design by Carlos Thays as far as the gardens are concerned.
Many US presidents have chosen this place to stay, such as Bush, Obama, Roosevelt and Eisenhower.
BONUS TRACK
The city has many more palaces for you to discover, some of which are less known or smaller, but we recommend you visit the Embassy of Saudi Arabia (Acevedo Palace) and the Leloir Palace, which is the Italian Circle of Buenos Aires.
We invite you to join our Free Tours around Buenos Aires here, to continue discovering the secrets of this beautiful city!
