Casa matriz del Banco del Estado de Chile, Bank headquarters in Barrio Cívico, Santiago, Chile.
The Casa matriz del Banco del Estado de Chile occupies the intersection of Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins and Morandé Street, beside the Plaza de la Ciudadanía and the south facade of the Palacio de La Moneda. Designed by architect Héctor Mardones, it is listed as an Inmueble de Conservación Histórica and houses the bank's main offices.
Construction began on 6 September 1944 and lasted until 1952; the building was first called Edificio de la Caja Nacional de Ahorros, since Banco del Estado de Chile only came into legal existence in September 1953. Architect Héctor Mardones had won the 1945 competition for the bank's offices. On 26 September 1952, with work still underway, a 35-metre scaffold collapsed, killing 10 workers and injuring 19; a mass funeral was held at Santiago General Cemetery on 29 September.
The Antonio Varas Gallery was originally built as office space for the bank and was later converted into a commercial gallery. The Antonio Varas Hall, a separate space in the building, is used by the Teatro Nacional Chileno. The Savings Museum, founded in 1992, covers the history of saving in Chile.
The main entrance faces Avenida Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins at the Morandé corner, beside the Plaza de la Ciudadanía on the south side of La Moneda. The Savings Museum and the Sala Antonio Varas, home of the Teatro Nacional Chileno, are inside; check each space's opening days before going, since they keep separate hours from the bank.
At 10:50 on 26 September 1952, with the building still unfinished, a 35-metre scaffold collapsed, killing 10 workers and seriously injuring 19. A mass funeral was held at Santiago General Cemetery on 29 September. The building was still legally the Edificio de la Caja Nacional de Ahorros, since Banco del Estado only came into legal existence in September 1953.
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