Palacio Fuentes, Beaux-Arts palace in central Rosario, Argentina.
Palacio Fuentes is a beaux-arts palace located at the intersection of Santa Fe and Sarmiento streets in central Rosario. The facades are adorned with reliefs, sculptures, and large copper lanterns, while the interior houses shops, offices, and apartments distributed across multiple floors.
Spanish immigrant Juan Fuentes Echeverria commissioned architect Juan Bautista Durand to design and build this structure between 1923 and 1927. The construction marked the owner's success in Argentina and reflected the wealth he had accumulated through agricultural and related business ventures.
The central tower displays a four-sided clock topped with a weathervane shaped like a plow, symbolizing the agricultural roots of the owner's wealth. This detail reflects the strong connection between the builder and the farming industry that created his fortune.
The ground floor and mezzanine level contain shops and offices accessible through an ornate brass entrance gate. The upper floors house apartments, and the building maintains a mix of public and private spaces that are clearly defined by their separate entrances.
The basement houses the International Museum for Democracy, which features exhibitions about democratic concepts through Argentine and global historical events. This cultural institution adds an unexpected dimension to what appears as primarily a commercial and residential building.
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