Closed for more than two years for renovations, the Altino Arantes Building, affectionately nicknamed Banespão by locals, will reopen to the public tomorrow in celebration of São Paulo's 464th anniversary. Built in 1947 to house the headquarters of the State Bank of São Paulo (Banespa), the 161-meter-tall skyscraper offered visitors access to its observation deck with panoramic views of the city.
Now, the downtown icon will feature a series of attractions including a museum on the building's history, art exhibitions, a skate park, and a loft available for rent on Airbnb.
The new attractions will occupy eleven floors throughout the building. From the second to the fifth floor, a route will showcase the history of Banespão, featuring videos, original furniture from when the skyscraper opened, and an installation by artist Vik Muniz with seven panels made from over 10 tons of scrap metal.
The 22nd and 23rd floors will host exhibitions by artists—always one Brazilian and one international—exploring the same theme in four-month seasons. For the opening, Russian collective Tundra and artist Laura Vinci present their reflections on the theme of "landscape."
The 21st floor will house a skate park designed by world champion Bob Burnquist, featuring a street course and setups for both beginners and advanced skaters. On the 25th floor, just below the famous observation deck, is the loft designed by Franco-Brazilian firm Triptyque, available for rent on the Airbnb platform.
The new Banespão will reopen to the public tomorrow, January 25, when, at 8:30 PM, 124 light fixtures will be lit at its top to mark the inauguration of Farol Santander, the institution that has owned the building since 2000.
This article was written by Romullo Baratto. The translation is powered by AI.
