Edifício Altino Arantes, Art Deco skyscraper in Central Zone, São Paulo, Brazil
The Edifício Altino Arantes is a 35-story Art Deco skyscraper rising 161.22 meters in downtown São Paulo. Its entrance hall has granite blocks and small tiles with drawings of the Brazilian territory encircled by the words "Banco do Estado do São Paulo". The observation deck, reached from the 33rd floor by two sets of stairs, offers views up to 40 km.
The building was completed in 1947 and was the tallest structure outside the United States at that time. It remained the highest building in São Paulo for approximately two decades before other structures surpassed it.
The building is nicknamed Banespão, or "big Banespa", after the Bank of the State of São Paulo it housed until 2001. Since 2018 it has operated as Farol Santander, a cultural and entertainment centre, and the Banespa Museum collection holds 993 objects, 1,003 works and 66 carpets.
The observation deck sits at the top of the tower, reached from the 33rd floor by two sets of stairs, and visitors are allowed only five minutes on the small parapet. Foreigners must show a passport copy for the tour, and access is limited to small groups. The view reaches about 40 km, taking in the Serra do Mar, Pico do Jaraguá and Avenida Paulista.
The entrance hall covers 379 square metres. Its floor is laid with granite blocks and small tiles bearing tiny drawings of Brazilian territory, encircled by the words "Banco do Estado do São Paulo". A three-metre, 1.5-tonne chandelier with 150 lamps and about ten thousand crystal pieces was installed here in 1988.
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