Living in Argentina

Downtown

Belgrano

Areas

The elegant neighbourhood is divided into three areas: Lower or "Bajo Belgrano", Central or "Belgrano Central" and "Belgrano R":

"Bajo Belgrano" is the area closest to the river and the racing course. It extends from the railroad station Belgrano C, of the Mitre railroad line, to the Avenida Figueroa Alcorta. This area, well known due to it being mentioned in several Tango pieces, was a popular place for riverside meetings and in the slum with its stone paved streets you could find the today no longer present studs for the race horses that used to race in the close by Palermo race course.

"Belgrano Central" has the Avenida Cabildo with its noisy febrile activity and in the very heart of the district you can find the Avenida Juramento, in which street blocks you will find art, history and the local faith in a harmonious blend.

"Belgrano R" is a very select residential area, with big mansions built in English country side style, surrounded by shady trees and luxuriant gardens, giving rise to an air of manorial superiority. Here you can still find the traditional petit-hotels. This part of the neighbourhood received a strong foreign influence, through the influx of British and Germans that appreciated the picturesque characteristics of the area.

All this makes Belgrano into a neighbourhood heavy with culture, tradition and history, with its traditional mansions and many manor houses that have been converted into consulates and embassies. Its quiet streets and tree esplanades are full of shops, restaurants, architectural reliquaries, museums, libraries and big green spaces. Many public transport tram and bus lines links it to the rest of the city, i.e. two of the Mitre tramline with its end station at Retiro, and the "D" line of the Underground or subway, on the Avenida Cabildo.

History

Easily the most elegant, residential and distinguished of all the barrios or neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires, Belgrano evokes the figure of general Manuel Belgrano (1770-1820), admired founding father, military hero and Argentinean politician who participated in the first Government junta in 1810, the creator of the National flag in 1812, and in command of the Northern Army in 1816, where he gained important victories in battles in the provinces of Tucumán and Salta.

The land of the present neighbourhood used to be called La Calera, due to the limestone quarries that existed there and from which the first churches in the city were built.

However the origins of this neighbourhood goes back to the general store called La Blanqueada, set up there at the start of the XIX Century. A small village grew up around this store and organised itself around a central square, a church, the municipality and the houses of its most prominent and distinguished citizens.

As early as 1855 there was already quite a small town and in 1880 it was officially founded by Valentín Alsina, who settled in the elegant streets of Echeverría and 11 de Setiembre. During the Avellaneda presidency it was the Nations capital for a period of five months, and in 1883 it receives its city charter.

Today, Belgrano has become one of the most important neighbourhoods in Buenos Aires, although it has a life of its own.

Its a country by itself, as its inhabitants like to say, and they refer to their living space, full of excellently built municipal buildings, high-income private homes and apartments, important school facilities, refined squares with attractive tree stands to enjoy, attractive recreational areas for all ages, and high class eating establishments with excellent cuisine.

Cinemas

• GENERAL PAZ
Av. Cabildo 2702. Tel: 4781 - 1412

• SAVOY
Av. Cabildo 2829. Tel: 4781 - 6500

• SHOWCASE
Monroe 1655. Tel: 4786 - 3232 (INFORMES) / 4780 - 3334 (VENTAS)

• SOLAR DE LA ABADIA
Luis María Campos y Maure. Tel: 4778-5181

Museums

• THE SARMIENTO HISTORY MUSEUM
A splendid Italian-style mansion built in 1873, it was used as the Belgrano Municipality during the times that the neighbourhood was recently acquiring size and relevance in the city. The National Government established its offices here in 1988. It was converted into a museum in 1938. Eight big halls are exclusively dedicated to the memory of Faustino Sarmiento, Argentinean president during 1868-1874; one hall is dedicated to Nicolás Avellaneda; and two halls related to the Congress that in 1880 approved the Federalisation of Buenos Aires.
It is open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 2 PM till 7 PM, and Sundays between 3 Pm to 7 PM. It has been declared a National Historical Monument and it is located on Avenida Juramiento 2180.
(The closest Underground or subway station is on: Juramento - Line D).

• MUNICIPAL MUSEUM OF SPANISH ART "ENRIQUE LARRETA"
It belonged to the famous Argentinean author don Enrique Larreta. It is a typical Italian renaissance XIXth Century mansion, with its classical balconies, wrought iron railings and gazebo. It was inaugurated as a museum in 1962.
It has twelve halls showing, amongst other things important works of art, fine rugs, coal braziers, ceramics, paintings, chests, armchairs, religious imagery, wood carvings, polychrome wooden altars and pious furniture of the most exquisite taste, representative works of Spanish art from the periods comprising the XIIIth to the XXth Century.
The so-called Andaluz garden is a place of placid contemplation inside the mansion. It borders the magnificent place and is a very attractive garden with nice plants, Moorish fountains and sculptures. During the southern hemisphere summers it hosts interesting concerts and theatre plays. Museum opening hours are between 2 PM to 8 PM Monday, Wednesday through Friday; and Saturdays and Sundays between 3 PM and 6 PM. Its address is on Avenida Juramento 2291.
(The closest Underground or subway station is on: Juramento - Line D).

• THE ROGELIO YRURTIA MANSION MUSEUM
This mansion built in the ornate XVIth century Spanish Plateresque style became a museum in 1949. It was part of the workshop of the famous Argentinean sculptor Rogelio Yrurtia, whose most famous work is the Canto al Trabajo (Ode to Labour), which can be found today in the Barrio of San Telmo. Yrurtia received the National Prize for Architecture in 1923, for rebuilding and furnishing this mansion in the best Spanish baroque style.
In the end the artist and his wife, the painter Lía Correa Morales donated their house. It hold the collection of paintings, tapestries, sculptures, antique furniture and many similar oeuvres dart that this artist couple brought over from Europe on every of their innumerable voyages to the old continent. It is a museum worth visiting, not only because of the paintings and sculptures it holds but also for the furniture pieces dating from the XVth to the XVIIth century. The works of other Argentinean and foreign artists such as Eduardo Sívori, Quinquela Martín, Martín Malharro, Pablo Picasso and Auguste Rodin, amongst others, accompanies the drawings, engravings and sculptures by Yrurtia and Correa Morales.
Visiting hours are Tuesday through Friday and Sundays from 3 PM to 7 PM. It is closed to the public on Saturdays and Mondays. The address is OHiggins Street 2390. (The closest Underground or subway station is on: Juramento - Line D).

• THE VALENTIN ALSINA MANSION OR TUE LIBERO BADII MUSEUM
This mansion, located on 11 de Setiembre Street 1990, used to be the home of Valentín Alsina, who bought the land in 1856, putting the European architect Petrocchio in charge of the building and afterwards sold it to Jorge Atucha. Doctor at Law Valentín Alsina was governor of Buenos Aires during the period 1857 to 1859, replacing governor Pastor Obligado. En 1880 the then Duke of York and Prince of Wales, son of Edward VII and grandson of queen Victoria stayed at this picturesque residence. He would later be reign as King of Great Britain and Ireland and Emperor of India from 1910 - 1936.
En 1934, the architect Prebich rebuilt certain parts of the mansion and finally in 1977 the government took over the building and created the Líbero Badii Museum.
Here one will find the works of the Argentinean artist Badii, carried out between 1942 and 1978: sculptures made of bronze, stone, painted wood and cement. About a hundred oil paintings, drawings, sketches and valuable book editions as well as engravings also enrich its collection on silk and paper, amongst other works of art.
Visiting hours are Mondays through Fridays from 10 AM till 6 PM, although it is recommended to make previous appointments calling 4784-8650. It has been declared a National Historical Monument.

Chinatown

Behind the railway station Estación Belgrano C, facing the Barrancas de Belgrano, all along Avenida Juramento till Avenida del Libertador we can find this version of an Argentinean Chinatown.

Here one can find shops run by and catering to the population of Asian origin and anyone interested in its cuisine and culture. There are supermarkets, restaurants, bookshops, pharmacies, medicinal herb shops, record shops, travel agencies, shoe stores, acupuncture centres and mini markets with a variety of Chinese, Korean and Japanese products.

Here you will be able to find broccoli and bamboo shoots or radish, shitake mushrooms, pickled bamboo and turnips; algae; rice vinegars; green, jasmine or ginger teas, and many types of seafood. Most of theses are marked in Chinese, Korean or Japanese, and people originating from those thousands of years old countries and cultures attend the shops.

In this same area on Montañeses Street 2175, one can find the Centre of the Argentinean Buddhist Association with its Tchon Kuan Temple. Visitors are allowed into the main nave. However one must leave ones shoes at the door. If you wish to attend a ceremony you must cover yourself with a black tunic called jsaichjin, and kneel down on a pillow to meditate.

Places to Visit

• CHURCH OF THE INMACULATE CONCEPTION
Better known as La Redonda, because of it being built on a circular base in 1878. It is built in a classical Greco-Roman style. And its beauty is enhanced by the green surroundings of the Plaza General Manuel Belgrano. Among its treasures there is a replica of the Leonardo da Vinci painting the Last Supper. Close to this church one can find the well known Market of the Vicarage (Recova de la Vicaria), built in a true colonial style, which is offers a marvellous space to enjoy in the midst of this very picturesque area, where hundreds of pigeons come around. It is located on the street Vuelta de Obligado 2042.
(The closest Underground or subway station is on: Juramento - Line D).

• PLAZA GENERAL MANUEL BELGRANO
Circled by the Avenida Juramento and the streets Cuba, Echeverría and Vuelta de Obligado, it is the central square of the barrio neighbourhood. It is surrounded by much of what today makes up the historic heritage of Belgrano.
In the centre of the Plaza, on a red granite base, stands the monument honouring the founding father Manuel Belgrano (1770-1820), whose complete name was Manuel Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano. Close by, on Cuba Street, one can see the statue representing the Three Graces facing the Sarmiento Museum of History.
From the Plaza, looking down Calle Vuelta de Obligado Street, there is an interesting view of the Church of Immaculate Conception. On weekends, from 9AM to 7 PM, an important handicraft fair is mounted here. You will also find paintings and statues on display. Street artists also show off their craft here.
(The closest Underground or subway station is on: Juramento - Line D).

• THE BELGRANO BARRANCAS OR RIVER BANKS
The Avenida Luis María Campos, where it crosses the La Pampa Street, the traveller will find a three hectare (slightly over 6 and a half acres) park, with a variety of old trees on a riverbank slope, at least twenty metres (60 ft) high, and which used to reach all the way to the river.
This is the Barrancas de Belgrano, which continue along the Virrey Vértiz Street until the place where it crosses Avenida Juramento, running parallel to the limits imposed by La Pampa Street and Avenida Av. Juramento, and the streets of Sucre and Echeverría.
The French landscape architect Charles Thays, to whom the city undoubtedly owes much of its charm, remodelled the park. On its characteristic sloping old riverbanks there are stands of old trees dating back to 1892. The paths circling the Park of the three famous banks are made out of bricks dating back to the XVIIIth century. On the corner of La Pampa Street with Arribeños there is a smaller scale replica of the Statue of Liberty. It was brought from France, the country that in 1876 donated the original statue made by the French sculptor Bartholdi to the United States.
On 11 de Setiembre Street, upon reaching Sucre Street, there is a monument honouring field marshal Antonio José de Sucre, a bronze statue by the Italian sculptor Tabacco, which was a gift from the Venezuelan government and which was inaugurated by the Venezuelan president Jaime Lusinchi during his state visit to Argentina in 1986. On 11 de Setiembre Street, between La Pampa and Echeverría, there is a beautiful arbour and courtyard locally known as La Pérgola or the Glorieta, where people gather on Sundays to dance the tango. It is really named Antonio Malvagni, in honour of the Italian musician that created the Buenos Aires municipal Band in 1910. Other attractions include the area for childrens play area and the hotly disputed chess and truque games under the shade of a tree.

• THE NICOLAS MIHANOVICH FOUNTAIN
This beautiful fountain adorns the Barrancas de Belgrano where the Sucre and 11 de Setiembre streets meet. It was donated by the businessman Nicolás Mihanovich. It is five metres (over 15 ft) tall and the four dolphins making up its centrepiece are of Italian marble from Carrara. The rest of its structure is made out of marble from the city of Azul, while its base is made out of granite from Tandil, both cities located within the Province of Buenos Aires.

• CLUB BELGRANO
This important social and sports club is to be found on the attractive Arribeños Street 1701. It is an old elegant mansion on land that used to belong to the Corvalán family, and it was built in the second half of the XIXth century, when the Barrio was founded.

• LA CASA DEL ANGEL
Of Norman style with a gazebo that used to hold the figure of an angel giving rise to its name. It belonged to the famous French fencing master Charles Delcasse. Today it has been turned into an elegant shopping centre with picturesque pastry and sweet shops all along Sucre Street, between OHiggins and Arcos.
(The closest Underground or subway station is on: Juramento - Line D).

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Recoleta

Historical Review

One of the most elegant and sought after neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires is the barrio of La Recoleta. When it was formed back in the first part of the XVIIth century, it was called Montes Grandes, (Big woodlands) and it was a hide out for brigands, which turned it into a place that normal people kept away from.

In the year 1716 a small Franciscan chapel and a rudimentary convent was installed in the area. Fourteen years later a definite convent was built and also the church Iglesia del Pilar, of vital importance for the later development of the area.

Recoleta means Place of retreat. The Franciscan and Dominican orders used to own, apart from a convent in the centre of the city, another one outside the city walls, for their practices of retreat and contemplation. This last one was called a "Recoleta", and its monks were known as "recoletos" or of retreat.

Around 1770 the layout of the rural properties north of the present Plaza San Martin was incorporated into the city plan. It used to be an area of small landholdings, connected by a winding road called Calle Larga (the Long Street. Today Avenida Quintana). The river then reached to the border of the actual old bank, and covered the area where today you can find the Museum of Fine Arts. Legend has it that, behind the church of the Recoleta, towards Avenida Pueyrredón, one could find the stockyards, slaughterhouses and the wagon trail that went north.

This attracted a mixed group of people like river shore dwellers, farm labourers and troublemakers that lived in the grocery stores of the area. It is said that the tango was born in this atmosphere, amongst boarding houses and coffee shops. It was danced in the Armenonville de Libertador y Tagle in 1888, and later on, also in the Palais de Glace.

The urban renewal of the Recoleta is started in 1830, with the laying out of the Avenida Callao as an encircling road around the city centre. It came all the way to Quintana and, at first; it was called Calle de las Tunas.

The cholera and yellow fever epidemics, in 1871, had as a consequence that the richest families left the southern party of the city and moved into the northern part. They not only started to move there but also started to define the style of the barrio through the building of palaces and elegant country houses surrounded by huge and attractive colourful gardens.

The definite consolidation of the barrio was the work of the superintendent Torcuato de Alvear, who, in the year 1885, laid out the Avenida that bears his name, a main street that was soon filled up by sumptuous palaces.

With the excavation material from the Puerto Madero the lower part was used as a landfill, and plazas and parks were created that soon made the Recoleta into the most elegant neighbourhood or barrio of the city. Because of this, there are those that are of the opinion that la Recoleta is a piece of Paris, uprooted and transferred here, since it is very French looking: big green areas, exclusive avenues, with first class bars and restaurants.

La Recoleta offers big spaces where great cultural activities take place. During the weekends, in the heart of the barrio at the corner of Junín Street and Avenida Quintana there is a huge artisans market. And every day of the week you can try a typical Argentinean mate or a delicious and refreshing cup of tea in the winter gardens of the LoiSuites Recoleta, at Vicente López Street 1955.

It is one of the major nightlife areas of Buenos Aires. The variety of restaurants, pubs and nightclubs are concentrated along the streets that surround the Cemetery i.e. Junín, Azcuénaga and Vicente López, a detail that lends the area another of its special characteristics.

Attractions

• The Mansion
Cerrito 1433 The mansion has some extremely luxurious rooms that tend to be occupied by international VIP during their visits to Buenos Aires.

• La Recova de Posadas
Posadas 1011 between Ave. Libertador, Cerrito and Carlos Pellegrini streets, right beneth the Illia motorway
Phone: 4326-4499 / 1721
The construction of the motorway led to the redesign of this space, wich was used to establish a group of quality restaurants.
They are: Piegary - El Mirasol

• French Embassy
Cerrito 1390, corner Arroyo

• Monument to Carlos Pellegrini
Cerrito and Ave. Alvear This triangular square is surrounded by beatiful French-style buildings.

• Patio Bullrich
Ave. Libertador 740/ 50

• Alvear Avenue
This seven-block avenue stands out for its aristocratic look and the way it has conserved the classic style of the early 20th century. There many of the international design houses such us Scada, Bally, Kenzo, YSL, Louis Vuitton are locatetd.

• Duhau Palace
Ave. Alvear 1683

• National House of Culture
Ave. Alvear 1690, corner Rodriguez Peña

• Alvear Palace Hotel
Ave. Alvear 1759, corner Ayacucho One of the most tradition-bouen, luxury hotels in the country.

• La Biela
Quintana and Roberto M. Ortiz Bar - Café

• Recoleta Cementery
Junin 1760 - Phone: 4803-1594 Every day from 7 AM to 5:45 PM. Guided visits: last Sunday of each month at 2:30 PM. Free admittance

The Recoleta Cemetery´s large number of the three most important cemeteries in the word, after Genoa, and the Pierre Lachaise cemetery in Paris. Most of the tombs are national historical monuments because the great men who made Argentine history, from the independence heroes to the most outstanding Presidents, are buried here. It is a place to see all sorts of architectural styles and be fascinated by the legends hidden by its narrow streets. Regardless of the apprehension it may inspire, don´t miss this cemetery. You will see some of the world´s most beautiful mausoleums, crafted by great sculptors and architects.

• Recoleta Cultural Center
Junin 1930. Phone: 4803-0358 / 9751, 4803-9744 Tuesday to Friday from 2 PM to 9 PM. Weekends from 10 AM to 9 PM. It was an old convent, built in 1732, by the Recolets monks. Young and avant garde exhibits prevail at the center. Permanent paintings, sculpture, photography and theatre exhibitions take place at the 25 auditoriums.

• Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilic,
1892 Junin Street.
It is one of the oldest churches in Buenos Aires. Ir was built in 1732 by the Jesuits. There is an Inca style sun made in silver in front of the mains altar.

• Palais de Glace
Posadas 1725
This circular building is a National Exhibition Hall.

• National Museum of Fine Arts
1473 Libertador Ave.
Tel 4803-8817.
It is one of the most important art exhibition centers in Argentina. Where 10 thousand works of art are permanently exhibited and expositions by contemporary artists take place. Works of art by Goya, El Greco, Tintoretto, Van Gogh, Picasso, etc stand out at the exhibition.

• National Museum of Decorative Art,
1902 Libertador Ave.
Tel 4802-6606.
It was an old private neoclassic residence. In 1937 it was bought by the National government and turned into a museum.

• Plaza Francia
Monument to Carlos Maria de Alvear
Alvear and Ave. Libertador

• Law School
Ave. Figueroa Acorta 2263

• Plaza Bartolome Mitre
Ave. Libertador between Dr. Agote and Agüero

• National Library
Ave. Libertador between Austria and Agüero

Restaurants

• Juana M.
Carlos Pellegrini 1535

• Fenicia
Suipacha 1183

• Sorrento
Posadas 1053
Debajo de la Autopista 9 de Julio

• Plaza Mayor
Posadas 1052
4393-5671
Debajo de la Autopista 9 de Julio

• Piegari
Posadas 1042
4326-9654
Debajo de la Autopista 9 de Julio

• El Mirasol
Posadas 1032
Debajo de la Autopista 9 de Julio

• Ligure
Juncal 855
4394-8226

• Azul Profundo
Av. Libertador 306

• La Bourgogne
Ayacucho 2027
4802100

• Mate y Venga
Suipacha 1025
4313-0255
Serving International cuisines and also offers take-out. Delivery. Valet Parking. Reservations Accepted. Reservations Recommended. Reservations Required. Full Bar on Site. Childrens Menu Available. Happy Hour. Banquet Facilities

• Maximus
Av. Libertador 420
4131-4000
Serving International cuisines and also offers take-out. Delivery. Valet Parking. Reservations Accepted. Reservations Recommended. Reservations Required. Full Bar on Site. Childrens Menu Available. Happy Hour. Banquet Facilities

• La Bourgogne
Ayacucho 2027
4808-2100
Chef Bondoux creates traditional plates such as chateaubriand béarnaise, coté de veau (veal steak) with red wine sauce and salmon carpaccio are some traditional plates. Jacket required and reservations highly recommended.

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Palermo

Areas

his neighbourhood barrio can be divided into three areas: Old Palermo - "Palermo Viejo", Small Palermo - "Palermo Chico" and the Palermo Gardens - "Jardines de Palermo". However, looking at architectural styles, two of these areas stand out:

• PALERMO CHICO
It is but a part of this large neighbourhood barrio, characterised by a layout combining buildings and the park. The architect Carlos Thays designed it. As a counterproposal to the Spanish traditional urban checkerboard layout of this part of the continent, he proposed curved and irregularly laid out streets, with many ample and large green areas and magnificent mansions, that today harbour foreign embassies and entities. At the further end of it you will find the José Hernández Museum of Argentinean Motives. With the Avenida del Libertador as its principal artery, this neighbourhood barrio is the most tree-shaded part of the City and one of the largest as to area. Its woods and flowering gardens make up the most extensive green lung area of Buenos Aires. Here you can enjoy magnolias, jacarandas, lapachos, pines, araucarias and several species of palm trees. It is the ideal place for a Sunday walk. Around its lakes you can find many people practising sports, stroll, roller-skate, ride bicycles or just sit and take in the sun. Early every morning and also at dusk during the week, it is common to find many people jogging or just walking in the area, each one making his (or her) own circuit around the Galileo Planetarium, the Japanese Garden, or crossing the Avenida del Libertador by the Monument to the Spaniards on their way towards the Zoological Garden or else the Botanical Garden. Here you will also find the main exhibit and trade fairs of the City: the Palermo Trade Fair Grounds and the Municipal Exhibition Centre.

• THE PALERMO GARDENS.
Here you will find the imposing statue of Sarmiento, created by the sculptor Auguste Rodín in 1900, the famous Rose Garden with its lake, the Andaluz Courtyard, a gift from the City of Seville to the City of Buenos Aires, the huge Monument to the Spaniards, and the Galileo Galilee Planetarium are but a few examples of what this barrio can offer the visitor. On Avenida del Libertador General San Martín and Dorrego Street you will find the Argentinean Horse Racing Course - Hipódromo Argentino, a true testimony of the architectural Belle Époque style, where horse racing takes place, as well as social events. If you cross the broad Avenida del Libertador, you will the Argentinean Horse Polo Fields - Campo Argentino de Polo, where in November every year the Open National Championship -Campeonato Abierto de la República takes place. An area running parallel to the Avenida del Libertador, between the streets of Dorrego and Olleros approximately was totally renewed to convert it into residential and night entertainment area known as San Benito de Palermo (The name of the local parish) but better known as "Las Cañitas". Across the railroad tracks you will find The King Fahd Islamic Cultural Centre - Centro Cultural Islámico Rey Fahd, with an extension of three hectares (Approximately 7 acres). It was inaugurated in September of 2000. It has a school, exhibit and conference halls, a library and a mosque that can hold up to 1600 faithful. Palermo Chico together with the Jardines de Palermo, with an extension running from the Plaza Italia and due east, make up one of the jewels of the City of Buenos Aires and a visit there will leave you open-mouthed.

• PALERMO HOLLYWOOD
In the heat of heart of one of the most traditional districts of the city, as it is, Palermo emerges as the place where art and night life come together. Renamed Palermo "Hollywood", by television producers and channels that are in the area, it is known as the artistic center of Buenos Aires. This new district of Buenos Aires, delimited by Juan B. Justo Av., Paraguay & Dorrego Sts and Niceto Fertile valley, is in constant expansion. The openning of comercial property is continuous. What was formerly known as a quiet residential area is today one of the most visited places by middle-class and artists. It boasts a fantastic variety of restaurants, bars and businesses, that offer all types of products and is the place for morning, afternoon and night meetings.
The gastronomical establishments stand out because of their original styles, with modern designs and eccentric dishes. Most of them include gardens, terraces or patios. The restauarants are not the only strong attraction of the area. In this colorful corner of City plenty of bars, theme discos, independent art galleries, theaters, antique stores/houses and ateliers can be found. The trend and atmosphere is focused more on fashion and art which differentiates it from other new districts such as Cañitas and Puerto Madero.
Another attraction of this area is it´s particular architecture. When crossing the small streets of the "Buenosairean Soho", you can find perfect harmony of the old and the new. The constructions, in their majority houses, maintain their original facades, their size (quite ample) and typical high ceilings that date back to the beginning of the 20th century. These buildings have been refurbished and currently show an exclusive and modern style. Ideal for a stroll in the evening, great for enjoying a starry night, new Palermo "Hollywood" is a place that dazzles because of its vanguard and exclusiveness.

Historical Review

We are told by historians that this neighbourhood barrio owes its name to one of the first owners of this area of land: the Sicilian Juan Domínguez Palermo, a wealthy businessman, "married to a Conquistadors daughter", who acquired it somewhere around the year 1590.

Since those times, this area has been called the Palermo fields. And in these low lying and swampy fields, which were prone to flooding when the river rose, he had vineyards and also grew other fruit, as well as wheat.

In the beginning of the XIXth century, the land was bought by Juan Manuel de Rosas, which added them to other terrains to set up a farm comprising 541 hectares. (Approximately 1190 acres).

In the corner of what today are the Avenidas Libertador and Sarmiento, Rosas built a mansion in the colonial style with a balcony enclosing its perimeter, improved the roads and filled in the low parts with earth brought from the Belgrano riverbanks. He also built a small chapel, inside the southern tower, called San Benito de Palermo because of the black people working in the mansion.

The Palermo of today is the area more directly involved with the Parque 3 de Febrero Park or the Palermo Woods - the Bosques de Palermo, as it is commonly known. A beautiful place built in the midst of the attractive greenery and most important relaxation area of the City. The broad sidewalks of the ample Avenida del Libertador, the Japanese Garden, the Rose garden, the golf links and the lake, are but a few of the areas main attractions for people to wander around in.

Attractions

• PARQUE TRES DE FEBRERO
This park is located in Palermo neighborhood, bordering Libertador avenue. It has more than 80 hectares full of aged forests. Commonly known as Bosques de Palermo, it is one of the big green spaces in the city. Two artificial lakes border the vegetation. You can go through aquatic birds and plants by boat or water bike. Additionally, you can enjoy many subspaces, like the “Poets Garden” provided with sculptures by different plastic artists, the “Andalusian Yard” covered with trees foliage and the “Roses Garden” commonly known as El Rosedal with 15,000 rose bushes and plants of 1,189 different species. Crossroads of Libertador and Sarmiento avenues.

• PALERMO WOODS
These 25 hectares located just 10 minutes from the city centre are Buenos Aires. Its a green area wich comprises park, plazas decorated with statues, gazebos, street lamps and little bridges.

• PALERMO LAKE
Ave. Infanta Isabel and Presidente Pedro Montt

• PASEO DEL ROSEDAL
Access by Infanta Isabel, Iraola and Presidente Pedro Montt

• ANDALUSIAN PATIO
Ave. Del Libertador and Ave.
Sarmiento It was donated by the Seville Town Hall

• EDUARDO SIVORI MUSEUM
Infanta Isabel 555 Phone: 4774-9452

• SPANISH MUSEUM
Ave. Sarmiento and Ave. Libertador

• SARMIENTO S MONUMENT
Ave. Sarmiento and Ave. Libertador

• PASEO DE LA INFANTA
There are several restaurants to lunch or dine;
and art gallery, cafes, childre´s games, shops and discos.

• JAPANESE GARDEN
Avs. Casares y Adolfo Berro. Phone: 4804-4922
Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM (Guided visits)

• "GALILEO GALILEI" OBSERVATORY
Av. Sarmiento y Roldan Phone: 4775-1862 / 4772-9265
Saturday and Sunday at 3, 4:30, 6 and 7 PM

• ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN
Avs. Las Heras y Sarmiento.
Phone: 4806-7412
Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Guided tours Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM

• BOTANICAL GARDEN
Av. Santa Fe 3951.
Phone: 4833-1520
Daily from 9 AM to 7 PM. Free admittance

Sport Attractions
This neighbourhood offers cultural and open air activities, has big sports facilities, making it like a small town.

• PALERMO S RACETRACK
Ave. Libertador 4101

• POLO FIELD
Ave. Libertador 4100 Every year, every first weekend in November the most important polo world championship, the "Campeonato Abierto Argentino de Polo", opens with two matches in the afternoon al 3 PM and 6 PM.

• BUENOS AIRES CITY GOLF COURSE
Ave. E. Tornquist and Alsina Phone: 4786-6240

• BUENOS AIRES LAWN TENNIS CLUB
Olleros and Ave. Libertador Is the venue where the most important tournaments such as the "Abierto de la Republica" and "Davis Cup" are played.

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Puerto Madero

Description

In the vicinities of the micro center, on the banks of Rio de la Plata river and facing the presidential palace - known as the Casa Rosada, one can see a gigantic urban conglomerate that has changed the face of this part of the city: Puerto Madero.

Located behind the Retiro area, Puerto Madero is a compound of basins, cranes and so called docks (huge sheds where cargo brought in by freighters arriving to port was stored in the past).

There are four dikes and a promenade that drives through the recycled old depots. The old buildings maintain their old façade structures, and hold the offices of different firms, a multiplex, the new Universidad Católica Catholic University site, a five star hotel, a mega disco, about forty restaurants and ten bars that have made Puerto Madero one of the most visited spots by the Porteño nightlife seekers.

The 170 hectares of Puerto Madero constitute the most expensive zone of the city and the safest as well. In spite of being the least populated barrio neighbourhood (less than 300 inhabitants) and having the least number of streets, it has received the largest investment in the last five years.

From there is an access from there to marvelous Costanera Sur. The gastronomical offer is diverse: there are restaurants specialized in grilled food, pasta, seafood and haute cuisine, suitable for the most demanding gourmets. There are also fast food restaurants.

The ecological reserve is another attraction of this area and can be visited during day or nighttime, in organized tours under the moonlight.

Over 20 thousand people visit the area each day, a number that doubles during the weekends because Puerto Madero, with its boulevards and dikes, has become a common promenading place for families and tourists.

Projects

• TERRAZAS DEL YATCH
There are a few apartments still available. The ones looking out to the nature reserve are a little more expensive than those looking out to the dock itself. Since it´s release for sale around 6 months ago, some property owners have already made 20% profit on re-sales. Pricing in Terrazas average USD$2000 per square meter (initially they were released at USD$1400). This building includes the following facilities: health club, screening room (for meetings or movies), golf cage, valet parking, fully serviced and 24 hour security.

• RIO PLAZA BUILDING
This I consider to be the best investment as they have more of a traditional look and there are very few of them left. The higher F apartments look onto Rio de La Plata and the building is just around the corner from the Faena Hotel. In comparison to the Philippe Starck Project, this is a very affordable project as it is being sold at an average of USD$1900 per square meter. This building also offers a gym, day care facility or reading room, solarium, internal garden on ground level, 2 swimming pools on the 10th floor and it is only a block away from Faena Hotel, close to restaurants, shopping and the business district. Both the above options are quite interesting and appreciation is sure to continue, even short term. As stated by Paul Reynolds, these apartments are a great alternative to hotels in Buenos Aires as they are centrally located, with great views, close to nightlife and business district as you are well aware. If paid in cash, a 5% discount is offered on Rio Plaza Building.

• FAENA - PHILIPPE STARCK DEVELOPMENT
This development is made up of two building complexes. The Building El Porteño is adjacent to the Faena Hotel (within the premises) and it shares facilities such as the pool, 24hr delivery service (take out), option to use concierge service, etc. This building is being sold at USD$3500 per square meter. La Porteña Building is again a Faena project but it is less expensive due to the fact that this development is not of historical value, it doesn share hotel facilities and the actual faucets and other interiors are not designer items. The price per square meter ranges from USD$2000 -2400.

• FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS DUE TO BE REALISED
There are another two buildings in the are are due to be released between docks 2 and 3. Pricing for these two buildings (they are not high rise - only have 5 floors each) has not as yet been set but according to conversations that I´ve maintained with their Commercial Manager, they will be released at approximately USD$2400 over the next few months - they are indicating March 2005 .

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