Edificio Banco Santander Río, Modern bank building in financial district, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Edificio Banco Santander Río is a modern bank building in Buenos Aires' financial district, featuring a glass facade with a distinctive white median wall. The 15-story structure houses banking operations in lower levels, rental office space in the middle sections, and meeting rooms on upper floors.
The building opened in 1983, replacing earlier structures that housed the Royal Insurance Company and the Canadian Embassy on the same site. This construction marked a shift in how the financial district was being rebuilt during that era.
The white median wall creates a visual frame for the Metropolitan Cathedral visible from certain angles, establishing a deliberate connection between the banking quarter and the city's religious center. This design choice shows how the structure relates to what surrounds it rather than standing apart.
The building can be viewed from the street and is located in the heart of the financial district, making it accessible on foot alongside other key landmarks. Visitors should expect standard security measures typical of active banking facilities in the area.
The white painted glass facade came about following a request from the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo, who sought to incorporate Latin American elements into the building's appearance. This unusual collaboration between a financial institution and a social movement reflects how deeply architecture and community concerns are intertwined in the city.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.