Pasaje Zingg, Commercial passage in central Caracas, Venezuela.
Pasaje Zingg is a commercial passage in downtown Caracas connecting Avenue Universidad to Avenue East 6, designed to use natural elevation differences between the streets to create multiple access points. The structure spans two sections with forty retail spaces lit by a central glass dome that illuminates the interior walkways.
The Zingg company, established by German merchants, commissioned architect Arthur Kahn to design this commercial gallery, which opened in May 1953. The project reflected a wave of modern commercial construction in Caracas during a period of rapid urban growth and development.
The passage marked a turning point in how Caracas residents experienced shopping and moving through downtown, introducing conveniences like wooden escalators and public restrooms that were new to the city. These facilities changed daily habits for thousands of people.
The passage is located in the lower levels of the Edificio Zingg and is accessible from both adjacent streets through multiple entrances. You can choose the nearest access point depending on which avenue you approach from in the downtown area.
The structure blends French design elements with the city's natural terrain, cleverly using elevation differences between the two avenues to create multiple entry points without altering street levels. This design approach allowed the builders to maximize commercial space within existing urban constraints.
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