Civic Center of Lima, Brutalist skyscraper in Lima District, Peru
The Civic Center of Lima is a 34-story concrete complex standing 109 meters tall in a bold brutalist style near Paseo de los Heroes Navales. The structure now operates as Real Plaza Centro Civico and houses retail stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and direct connections to the Metropolitan bus system.
The project began in 1970 under President Fernando Belaúnde and was completed in 1974, a period of major political change in Peru. General Velasco Alvarado's military coup significantly influenced the final purpose and design of the complex.
The building displays the design language of the 1970s through its raw concrete surfaces and bold geometric forms, reflecting that era's interest in powerful public spaces. You can see this aesthetic in the massive facades and repeated patterns that define the entire complex.
The complex today operates as a large shopping and entertainment center with direct access to public transportation, making it easy to navigate. The stores, restaurants, and cinemas allow for extended visits, and the bus station provides good connections to other parts of the city.
After its completion in 1974, this structure held the title of Peru's tallest building for 34 years. This long period made it a symbol of an entire era in Peruvian urban development and modernization.
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