Edificio Menéndez Behety, Historic commercial building in downtown Buenos Aires, Argentina
Edificio Menéndez Behety is an eight-story building with a trapezoidal footprint, distinguished by marble halls and long columns adorned with detailed statuary work. The structure combines classical architectural elements with its characteristic asymmetrical site in the downtown area.
Built in 1926 by architect Arturo Prins, the structure originally served as headquarters for the Import and Export Societies of Patagonia Ganadera y Comercial. Its construction came during a period of economic expansion when trade and livestock commerce shaped the city's development.
The facade displays sculptures of Poseidon, Hermes, and figures representing Agriculture, Livestock, and Navigation, reflecting Argentina's economic activities. These ornaments tell the story of the trade traditions that shaped the city.
The building houses various offices, including the Chilean Consulate on the second floor and a Banco de la Ciudad branch at ground level. Visitors can explore the publicly accessible areas, particularly the ornate entrance hall and the street-facing facade.
The building integrates early twentieth-century innovations with glazed curtain walls between the third and fifth floors using iron profiles. This technical solution allowed for more open interior spaces and demonstrated early modernist construction influences in the city.
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