Customs building, Office building at the port of Manaus, Brazil.
The Customs building in Manaus is an office structure at the city's port, constructed in the early 1900s. The structure displays red brick blocks, Renaissance elements across the facade, and a distinctive steel tower that rises above the roofline.
An English harbor construction firm built the structure at the start of the 20th century, when the rubber economy was transforming the region. This construction was part of a wave of European infrastructure that arrived to support the booming trade in the Amazon.
The building shows British architectural patterns that arrived in the Amazon region during the rubber boom era. Visitors notice the European style elements that seem out of place in this tropical port, yet underscore its role as a symbol of international commerce.
The building sits directly at the harbor's edge and is easily reached by public transportation. Visitors can admire the exterior at any time, though the interior may have limited access since it functions as an active customs administration center.
The red bricks making up the structure were shipped as prefabricated blocks from England to the Amazon region. This method allowed the builders to execute a fully European design in this tropical setting without relying on locally available materials.
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