Architecture

The main architecture of the neighborhood, developed since the 19th century, is based on the French style, and at the same time there is a great amount of châteaus (simulating those of Loira) and petits hotels which remind us the Parisian style.All the materials for the construction were brought from Europe.

Unfortunatly, in the 1960’s many buildings were pulled down to build new ones.
In Recoleta, different styles, which were emerging with the fashion, coexist together. (although the French academic style predominates).

This variety of styles can be appreciated by looking at buildings such as: Nuestra Señora del Pilar Basilica (baroque), Recoleta Cultural Center (neo-classical), National Library (brutalist), Law College (neo-classical) Engineering College (neo-gothic), Ralph Laurent Polo Building (French academic), El Ateneo Bookstore.

Above all the booming property development, Recoleta has an endless amount of beautiful parks scattered all around its area, what reinforces its luxurious aspect. The most outstanding park is Francia Square, placed opposite the Cementery, partly due to the popularly known Craft Fair and also due to the fact that it is in the epicenter of the main cultural spaces.

Last but not least, the amount of statues that exists there is impressive, standing out El último centauro (The last Centaur), El arquero (The Archer) and the equestrian statue dedicated to Carlos María de Alvear, works of the sculptor Antoine Bourdelle, Floralis Genérica (Floraris Generic), a piece of work by Edurado Catalano and El Torso Masculino Desnudo (Male Torso), by FernandoBotero.