The city’s iconic buildings, its secrets and the “hunter” of stories that led them to the Library of Congress

The city and its heritage have Stories and secrets to tell. Although it seems that they are well known and there is not much left to reveal, unexpected stories continue to emerge, arising from information that remained hidden. There are journalists, historians and now also influencers behind these stories. And the stories are recorded in the networks and also in books.

Mariela Blanco defines herself “Story Hunters.” And he recorded them in his books “So Buenos Aires”which he introduced last month, and “History is news”which was released in the middle of the year and received various recognitions.

“The idea was to bring together all those places in Buenos Aires for which there is no explanation, which cannot be categorized because of their beauty and extravagance, and because they appear insignificant today in the face of successive economic crises before our eyes,” said Blanco, who is also a journalist, about “History is news,” adding, “The book wants to be that too.” a kind of modern Filcar guide to mark and find these 100 places in the city.”.

In the introduction to the book, that was added to the Library of CongressBlanco presents himself asto the “journalist of the past” which has the difficult task of finding an overview of buildings with more than a century of history.

“My job would be easier if a big house in Palermo was getting divorced, being unfaithful, changing his appearance or having panic attacks. So I had to look for things.” Climb domes, go through tunnels, penetrate houses that are in danger of collapsing and lying on the ground to take a photo from a never-before-seen angle,” says the journalist and author.

“History is news” Inspired by old printed newspapers, it is designed as a collector’s item: it is designed in two columns, with typography reminiscent of newspapers from a century ago, and is printed on a hollow sheet reminiscent of the yellowed pages of those copies that are still kept as treasures in libraries and newspaper archives.

“Tan Buenos Aires” also includes iconic places in the city, such as the Palacio de los Patos, Casa Mínima, Maguire Residence, Casey Residence and the House of Peacocksthe Lezama Palace, the Plaza Hotel, the Claridge Hotel and the Kavanagh Building, among other things.

and contributes to it Documentation, such as original plans with signatures of prominent personalities as Corina Kavanagh and Rosa T. de Torquinst. And he adds the most popular point of view to “expose the contradictions of the people of Buenos Aires.”

“Tan Buenos Aires” by Editorial Dunken is a compilation of more than 50 micro-stories that travel through the city. And the author herself has selected five, about iconic buildings and their lesser-known stories.

For example this Lezama Palacewhere the Canale biscuit factory operated. Located in Martín García y Azara, in front of Lezama Park, it is the current headquarters of several ministries of the Government of Buenos Aires, including Infrastructure and Public Spaces.

Was Inaugurated in 1910 by José Canalea Genoese immigrant, as the headquarters of his growing biscuit, biscuit and sweet bread factory. “In 1985, a fire interrupted operations and left the building as a silent structure,” says Blanco, who takes up the details of the restoration and emphasizes: “The Lezama Palace resisted the absurdity of cities that so often reject what is beautiful and current.” “preserves the historical memory of its industrial past.”

Another selected building is this Former National Library. Located in San Telmo, México 564, it is a neoclassical building built in 1896 by Carlos Morra as the headquarters of the charity lottery. Thanks to the intervention of Paul Groussac, then director of the National Library, the building was assigned to the institution and has since fulfilled its library function, although with new tasks over time.

Blanco says this between his rooms with high ceilings and solemn staircases Jorge Luis Borges worked as a director for eighteen years between 1955 and 1973.

It was declared a National Historic Monument and is now home to the Borgean Studies Centerwith manuscripts, first editions, photographs and author libraries by Borges, Bioy Casares and Silvina Ocampo. “It recently underwent a restoration that restored facades and offices and consolidated its historical and cultural value as a space dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of Borges’ work,” says Blanco.

The third building selected is this Minimal house. It’s home closest in town, barely three meters wide. The exact origin is uncertain. It is said to have belonged to a freed slave, although historical records do not confirm this. The building remains as a fragment of the city’s history between memory and myth. The house survived the demolition of the large house that surrounded it, belonging to the Lezica Peña family, and the changes in the neighborhood, becoming an architectural remnant that invites us to imagine stories from Buenos Aires’ past.

Its narrow façade and walls stimulate the imagination rather than formal documentation. Today it is a symbol of Buenos Aires’ ability to preserve fragments of its history even in the smallest of spaces. According to the author, “Casa Mínima attracts visitors and curious people who want to get closer to a corner where Legend and memory overlapand where the unlikely becomes part of the city’s narrative.”

Blanco’s book also sheds light on that Maguire Residenceas he calls it, “Dracula’s Castle in Recoleta.” Located at 1683 Alvear Avenue, it is also known as the former Hume Palace. It is a late Victorian-style mansion with Gothic details designed in 1890 by British architect Charles Ryder for engineer Alejandro Hume. Its exposed brick façade, black slate mansards and an imposing rubber tree at the entrance give it a stately and mysterious atmosphere.

It was the first residence in Buenos Aires to have an outdoor pool. Over the years, the property changed hands between famous families, including the Duhau brothers and later the Maguires. Today it is still one private house, while maintaining its original function and unique presence on Alvear Avenue. “The combination of dark architecture, low blinds and an aura of mystery earned it the popular nickname “Dracula’s Castle,” fueling urban legends Fascination for neighbors and passers-by”highlights Blanco in Tan Buenos Aires.

Also on Alvear Avenue, but in 1690 Casey Residence It is an imposing mansion that belonged to the businessman Eduardo Casey O’Neill and later Vicente Casares, founder of La Martona and grandfather of Adolfo Bioy Casares. The house reflects the history of the Argentine dairy industry and preserves details that point to its heyday, including references to the Casares model dairy and its famous production of dulce de leche.

The mansion was expanded by Vicente Casares, who addedor 12 rooms to the original 30 and three additional bathrooms that reinforce its stately character. Over time, the residence has had other famous owners, such as Teodelina Alvear de Lezica and the papal marquises Adelia Harilaos de Olmos, who bought it with a view to welcoming Pope Pius XII. remodeled, although he ultimately preferred another residence nearby.

The book includes other gems of Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires architecture, such as Sans Souci Palace, San Francisco Convent, Villa María, Villa Carmen, Villa Ocampo, Casa Minka, Canottieri Italiani Club, Tigre Art Museum and Guerrero Castle, among others.