Our History
Heritage and Time Line:
The construction of the SAFICO building at Buenos Aires downtown began in 1932. This project required the best team of professionals to achieve a dynamic infrastructure that would work as a Hotel, as well as Commercial Offices and Housing.
A talented Swiss engineer, called Walter Möll, took the project under his wing. The aim was to defy gravity and build on Corrientes Avenue one of the tallest, most prominent and self-sufficient buildings from the early ´30s.
The engineer had to take into account Construction law regulations which have been in force since 1928. These regulations required the new constructions to be built a few feet behind the building line to consider the subsequent widening of the street and sidewalks. Latter ones were finished in 1936, transforming Corrientes street into a major Avenue. Furthermore, the same regulations limited the height of the front of the building to about 132 feet. From this height on, the next 296 feet would be built in a stepped tower style. The project involved the company GEOPE, Compañía General de Obras Públicas, S.A., which was responsible for completing the concrete, masonry, plaster and roofs, as well as sanitary facilities.
This same year, the famous Obelisk of Buenos Aires, a national historic monument intersecting 9 de Julio and Corrientes Avenues was erected to commemorate the fourth centenary of the city´s first foundation. Safico's concrete foundations were poured on October 31st, 1932. The skeleton was finished on May 25th, 1933. This first phase lasted for 160 days on the whole, following the completion of the skyscraper in record time. Even today, this kind of performance is considered an ambitious timeline for such a majestic structure, considering circumstances in the ´39s and the high complexity and quality of the job.
In addition, floors nr. 23, 24 and 25, the building´s upper floors, were left as single apartments, turning them into the first "triplex" in the country. Back in time, one apartment was loaned out to the famous Chilean writer Pablo Neruda, during his stay in Argentina as a Consul. He is known as one of the greatest romantic Latin American poets of the twentieth century.
The SAFICO building is a grand representation of Rationalist architecture and the Art Deco era. It was completed on September 8th, 1933. By the time, it had already become the tallest building for housing in the country. Still today, it adds up spectacularly to the city views of Buenos Aires, a reflection of unprecedented quality, design and great comfort. It has become the subject of study for Engineering and Architecture Schools all around the world.