Edificio Shell Mex, Art Deco building at Diagonal Norte, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Edificio Shell Mex is an office building on Diagonal Norte in Buenos Aires distinguished by its facade of San Luis granite and Italian travertine. A distinctive clock tower crowns the structure, which has ten above-ground floors and three basement parking levels beneath the street.
The building was completed in 1936 by architects Calvo, Jacobs, and Gimenez as the headquarters for Shell petroleum company in Argentina. Its design reflected international corporate architecture trends that spread from Europe to South America during that decade.
The building displays English ceramic tiles within its internal courtyard and carries shell motifs on its doorways, making the oil company connection visible in its design details. These decorative touches are easy to spot when exploring the interior and noticing the fine craft work of the Art Deco style.
The building sits at the intersection of Diagonal Norte with Peron Street and Esmeralda Street in the heart of the city. The location is easily reached by public transport, and several cafes and shops surround the immediate area.
The building mirrors the Shell Mex headquarters in London, making it a striking example of how European corporate design was replicated globally in the 1930s. This kind of architectural exchange between continents was a rare practice in Buenos Aires at that time.
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