Alexandre Mackenzie Building, Commercial center in República District, São Paulo, Brazil
The Alexandre Mackenzie Building sits where Coronel Xavier de Toledo Street meets Viaduto do Chá, displaying eclectic architecture across nine floors. The structure combines various styles and houses around 180 shops spread throughout its levels.
The building was completed in 1929 and initially served as headquarters for the São Paulo Tramway Light and Power Company. In 1999 it was transformed into Shopping Light, taking on a new role as a modern retail center.
The building's name references an important educational institution, reflecting the commercial aspirations of the early 1900s. Its position at a major intersection made it a gathering point for business people and visitors from across the city.
The shopping complex is accessible through multiple entrances and sits in an active downtown area with good transportation connections. The various levels are connected by stairs, elevators, and escalators, making it easy to navigate through the spaces.
The building preserves its original elevators from the 1920s, which operate alongside modern equipment. These historic lifts are an example of how older infrastructure coexists with contemporary facilities.
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