Edifício Ely, Eclectic architectural building in Porto Alegre, Brazil
Edifício Ely is a four-story building with tall narrow windows that have detailed frames, along with balustrades, decorative ornaments, and wrought iron railings across its facade. The structure displays a prominent pediment with curved details and currently serves as a retail store for construction materials.
German-Brazilian architect Theodor Wiederspahn designed and built this structure between 1922 and 1923 for a fabric merchant. The building emerged during Porto Alegre's period of rapid growth and modernization in the early 20th century.
The building shows a mix of Germanic style with Renaissance and Baroque touches that you can see in its decorative details and the Mercury statue above the entrance. This combination reflects how European architectural traditions took on their own character in Brazil.
The building sits downtown on Conceição Street within walking distance of the bus station. It is easy to reach and you can view the architecture from the street, where the facade details are clearly visible.
The building features a statue of the god Mercury sculpted by local artist Alfredo Staege that crowns the entrance. This figure is a rare example of artist collaboration in the city's early architectural works.
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