Población Los Castaños

Población Los Castaños is a residential complex in Independencia with 84 houses built in the Art Nouveau style that line Avenida Francia. The homes feature individual front yards and facades with ornamental details, with living spaces ranging from 54 to 270 square meters.

The neighborhood was built between 1927 and 1930 as a housing project for members of the Carabineros de Chile through their institutional social security system. This development was part of the early modern construction movement that emerged in Santiago during that era.

The neighborhood displays ornamental details such as animal figures, urns, and floral patterns that shape daily life for residents. These decorative elements came from Luciano Kulczewski, a Polish-Chilean architect who gave each house its own character.

The neighborhood is best explored on foot, with the continuous arrangement of homes making it easy to walk between the front yards. Access is straightforward and there is no admission, since this is an inhabited residential area.

The residence at Avenida Francia number 1442 was named a cultural monument in 1996 and stands out for its exceptional architectural execution. This building is often considered the most representative example of Kulczewski's design philosophy throughout the entire complex.