Andraus Building, Modernist skyscraper in República district, São Paulo, Brazil.
Andraus Building is a 115-metre, 32-floor commercial tower on the corner of Avenida São João and Rua Pedro Américo in the República district, completed in 1962 to a design by Polish architect Majer Botkowski. Its polygonal volume was adopted to make the most of an irregular lot. The facade stacks dark glass window bands between light grey concrete floor slabs, with slatted balcony openings and a solid concrete wall on the right edge.
Completed in 1962 by architect Majer Botkowski, the building marked a milestone in São Paulo's expanding skyline. A major fire in 1972 prompted Brazil to fundamentally reform its high-rise safety codes and building regulations.
Locals still call it the Pirani Building, after the department store that occupied its ground floor and basements before the 1972 fire. The name stuck even after the building was restored and given over to municipal and federal government offices.
The building now houses offices for municipal and federal government departments with multiple entrances and security checkpoints. Visitors should expect security procedures and may need authorization to enter certain areas.
The building is still commonly called "Prédio da Pirani", after a popular store that occupied its ground floor and basements before the fire. The 1972 blaze was broadcast live on television, and images of people jumping from the windows shocked viewers. Firefighters had the fire under control by 11:00 PM.
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