Rio Sul Center, Commercial skyscraper in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio Sul Center is a 164 m (540 ft) tall commercial building with 40 floors, built with concrete structure and glass facades. The complex houses 18 elevators and integrates office spaces with an attached shopping mall containing hundreds of stores, combining workspace and retail facilities.
Construction began in 1976 under Construtora Norberto Odebrecht and was completed in 1982. Its opening marked the beginning of a new era of high-rise development in Rio de Janeiro.
The building exemplifies Brazilian Brutalist architecture through the design of architects Ulysses Burlamaqui and Alexandre Chan. The striking concrete and glass facade continues to define the character of the Botafogo skyline today.
The complex is easy to navigate with clear signage inside, accessible directly from street level for pedestrians. The connection between the office building and shopping center makes it simple to explore both areas without going outside.
After completion, this building remained the city's tallest structure for four decades, shaping an entire generation's view of Rio's skyline. Its dominance over the urban silhouette makes it a surprising landmark of city development.
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