Palácio do Comércio, Art Deco commercial building in Historic Center, Porto Alegre, Brazil
Palácio do Comércio is an eight-story Art Deco building characterized by thick stone pillars supporting a wide marquee that runs along all sides. The facades display vertical strips of decorated windows that create a distinctive rhythmic pattern across the entire exterior.
Designed by German-Brazilian architect Joseph Franz Seraph Lutzenberger, the building opened in 1940 with President Getúlio Vargas attending the inauguration. Its completion marked an important moment for the city and represented the rise of Art Deco architecture in Porto Alegre.
The building functions as the headquarters for business associations and remains an active meeting place for merchants and traders today. Its spaces continue to serve as an administrative hub for regional commerce.
The building is easily accessible and equipped with four elevators for vertical movement throughout the structure. The climate control system throughout the interior ensures comfort when walking through and visiting the different floors.
Each side of the building displays a large caduceus symbol positioned above the upper cornice, marking its status as a commerce center. This symbolic element reflects the commercial purpose encoded directly into the building's design.
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