Edificio Giacoletti, Lima, Art Nouveau building in Plaza San Martín, Peru.
Edificio Giacoletti is a four-story building with a triangular footprint in Plaza San Martín, featuring marble staircases that connect the commercial levels throughout its interior. The spaces display Art Nouveau details arranged in a layout typical of early retail structures.
The building was constructed in 1912 by Italian brothers Rinaldo, Antonio, and Guido Masperi, marking the beginning of a new commercial phase for the plaza. Renovations in the 1940s altered some of its original Art Nouveau features, changing how parts of the facade appeared.
The building takes its name from an Italian cafeteria that once operated on its ground floor, reflecting the European influence that shaped Lima's early 20th-century commercial spaces. Its presence speaks to the cosmopolitan character that defined the city during that era.
Access to the building's interior is currently restricted as it requires restoration work and remains in a delicate condition. Visitors can appreciate its architectural style from the plaza, examining the exterior details and overall shape from different angles.
This structure is the oldest on Plaza San Martín and served as the gateway to what was Lima's most exclusive neighborhood during the 1920s. Its position marked the beginning of a new era of commercial development that would transform the surrounding area.
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