Building of the Ministerio de Desarrollo Social, Government building in central Montevideo, Uruguay

The Edificio del Ministerio de Desarrollo Social is a modernist state building at Avenida 18 de Julio 1451-1455, on the corner of Javier Barrios Amorín in the Cordón neighbourhood of Montevideo, facing the Monumento al Gaucho. Designed by architect Juan Antonio Rius with collaborator Luis Vaia, it was built between 1956 and 1961 as the head office of the Banco de Crédito.

The building opened in 1961 as Banco de Credito and served as a major financial center for the city. It later became the headquarters for Uruguay's Ministry of Social Development, shifting from banking to public welfare services.

The building reflects Uruguay's commitment to social welfare through its public-facing design and accessible spaces that welcome citizens. Its form communicates institutional dedication to community engagement rather than exclusion or hierarchy.

The building is within walking distance of central Montevideo and accessible by public transit. As an active government office, access may be limited to certain areas and hours, so planning ahead is recommended.

The building faces the Monumento al Gaucho on Avenida 18 de Julio. Its address is 1451-1455, at the corner of Javier Barrios Amorín. The National Cultural Heritage Commission declared it a National Historic Monument in 2012, twenty years after the bank's closure.