Confitería del Molino, Art Nouveau coffeehouse at Callao and Rivadavia avenues in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Confitería del Molino is a six-story coffeehouse at the corner of Callao and Rivadavia avenues in Buenos Aires, topped by a dramatic corner tower. The tower rises about 65 meters and features stained glass windows alongside decorative windmill sails that glow from electric lights hidden inside.
Italian architect Francesco Gianotti designed the building in 1915 for confectioner Cayetano Brenna, with the coffeehouse opening on July 9, 1916. The Argentine government purchased it in 2014 and undertook a major restoration to return it to its early 20th-century appearance.
Lawmakers from the National Congress made this coffeehouse their informal meeting place, gathering here to debate and negotiate over coffee and pastries. The spot became a symbol of how cafes functioned as extensions of political life in the city.
After the Argentine government purchased the building in 2014, it underwent comprehensive restoration work and now displays its original splendor. Visitors can walk through the renovated interior spaces and view the architectural details up close.
The structure uses reinforced concrete, a cutting-edge material for its era, while incorporating elaborate Art Nouveau ornamental details across its facade. This blend of advanced engineering with ornate decoration reveals how early 20th-century builders experimented with new technologies while maintaining traditional artistic values.
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