Otto Wulff building, Art Nouveau building at Belgrano and Peru, Monserrat, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Otto Wulff building is an Art Nouveau structure at the corner of Belgrano and Peru in the Monserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires, crowned with two brass-colored domes. The two facade sides are decorated with eight male figures standing about 5 meters (16 feet) tall, and the building rises to around 60 meters (197 feet).
A Danish architect designed this building in 1912 for two businessmen, and it was completed in 1914 following Art Nouveau principles. It was built during a period of strong economic growth in Buenos Aires, when European architectural styles were shaping the city.
The facade displays carved animals including condors and bears, along with male figures representing different trades such as blacksmith and carpenter. These sculptures reflect the era's appreciation for skilled craftsmanship and manual labor.
The building stands on a busy corner in Monserrat and can be viewed from the street in its full height. The details on the facade are easiest to read during daylight hours, particularly in the morning when the light brings out the carved elements.
The two towers on the roof originally contained water tanks that served the building, with one bearing a sun symbol and the other a moon symbol. This astronomical motif on a commercial building from the early 20th century is very rare in Buenos Aires.
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