Joelma Building, Modernist skyscraper in downtown São Paulo, Brazil.
The Joelma Building is a reinforced concrete high-rise with 23 floors rising 94 meters on Avenida 9 de Julho in downtown São Paulo. The structure follows a clean, straightforward design typical of Brazilian architecture from that era.
The building was constructed in the early 1970s following designs by architect Salvador Candia and helped shape the skyline of the growing city. A fire in 1974 was a tragic event that left deep marks on the city's history.
The building represents the modern architecture that shaped São Paulo during the 1970s and shows how the city was rapidly changing. Its simple, functional design reflects the spirit of that era, when Brazil was introducing new high-rises into its urban landscape.
The building functions as an office complex and is best accessed during business hours, with the main entrance on Avenida 9 de Julho. After extensive upgrades, it now features modern safety systems that meet current standards.
The rooftop became a testing ground for new helicopter rescue techniques that were later adopted in other South American countries. These innovations in high-altitude emergency rescue emerged from lessons learned during the fire.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
