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Dorrego Silos: The story of the first loft complex in South America, whose prices still tempt demand in a traditional Buenos Aires neighborhood - Infobae
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Silos de Dorrego: la historia del primer complejo de lofts de Sudamérica, cuyos precios aún tientan la demanda en un tradicional barrio porteño
En el predio donde desde 1922 funcionaron silos harineros y que fue la cuna de las fideos “Letizia”, en 1992 se realizó la muestra de Casa FOA y se inició luego una reconversión y desarrollo inmobiliario que mantiene vigencia. La familia originaria, símbolos, características y cotizaciones
www.infobae.com
March 24, 2024
On the property where flour silos had operated since 1922 and which was the cradle of “Letizia” noodles, in 1992 the Casa FOA exhibition was held and a real estate conversion and development began that remains valid. The original family, symbols, characteristics and quotes
By José Luis Cieri
The former Minetti Mill recovered 30 years ago and maintains the interest of the demand that prefers to reside and work in a place where lofts are protagonists
There are several successful examples of conversion of old industrial structures in the city of Buenos Aires. One of them is Moca , in the former Bagley factory, located at 100 Montes de Oca Avenue, in the Barracas neighborhood. This factory, inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, has been transformed into a mixed-use project. Another notable example is La Algodonera , located in Santos Dumont at 3400, in the Chacarita neighborhood. This project involves the intervention of the old building of the La Manufactura Algodonera Argentina textile factory. Currently, this space houses homes and commercial premises.
Also notable is the transformation of the former Minetti Mill, located in the block delimited by Conesa, Concepción Arenal, Zapiola and Dorrego streets, in the Colegiales neighborhood. After the completion of the edition of Casa FOA in 1992, work began that converted the property into the real estate development known as Silos de Dorrego (designed by Estudio Dujovne-Hirsch Arquitectos), the first in South America to offer lofts. This project was developed on land where a series of silos previously operated to store bags of wheat flour, origin dating back to 1921.
A property also linked to railway life when this activity was strong in the 20th century
Alicia Lidia Braghini, from the Board of Historical Studies of Chacarita and Colegiales, highlighted to Infobae that the former Minetti Mill, whose building structure has been preserved after ceasing its operations, “represents one of the numerous symbols that evoke an era of economic development and agroindustrial in Argentina, particularly in Buenos Aires. Its construction, dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, benefited from the proximity to the loading dock of the Miter Railway (Northern branch) and the direct connection with the San Martín Railway.”
Currently, you can still see the original tracks that led to the mill, as well as the vestiges of the railway corridors that linked to the Cargas de Colegiales beach and the San Martín Railway tracks.
Historical fragments
The Minetti family originates from Barge, northern Italy, in the Piedmont region. Initially, the surname was Minett, during a time when the area was experiencing fluctuations between Italians and French. However, it eventually came under the rule of the Kingdom of Sardinia, which would later become part of Italy.
View from Dorrego and Conesa of the imposing property that was born for an industry and is now a mixed-use development
“In 1867, the first members of the Minetti family arrived in Argentina and settled in Rosario. It was in Colegiales where they founded this mill, on the same land where residential units and offices are today,” Braghini said.
The mill opened its doors on April 23, 1922, during the presidency of Marcelo T. de Alvear , who oversaw its inauguration. The Minetti firm also had mills in other Argentine provinces, such as Córdoba and Mendoza, as well as abroad, in countries such as Brazil and Paraguay.
The Minetti y Cía Company began the construction of the Buenos Aires mill and a series of grain storages in 1920. This mill, which produced flour for many years, was the home of the renowned “Letizia” noodles, a name inspired by the first daughter of the founder. However, in the 1980s, its production ceased, coinciding with urban changes in the neighborhood known as Nuevo Colegiales, where the railway part had modified the configuration of the environment.
The old converted silos
This company reached such a magnitude that an old branch of the Miter Railway, diverted from its original route between the Colegiales and Tres de Febrero stations (before the existence of Minister Carranza), was responsible for unloading merchandise at the factory. Later, this branch also supplied the Dorrego Market (today known as Mercado de las Pulgas) and continued its route until connecting with the San Martín Railway, in the vicinity of Villa Crespo.
The area known as Bajo Colegiales used to be an old maneuvering yard of the Argentine Central Railway, with several branches. One of these branches headed towards the Manufactura Algodonera Argentina textile factory, which today houses La Algodonera in its old warehouses, where cotton was stored.
“Another branch connected the Argentine Central Railway with the Pacific Railway, starting from the Colegiales station, approximately at the intersection of Maure and Cramer streets, and joining at Ramírez de Velazco street, where the headquarters of the Caja are currently located. insurance. The third branch carried flour to some warehouses in front of the Mill,” explained Héctor Osvaldo Messina , president of the Board of Historical Studies of Chacarita and Colegiales.
On the neighborhood's shield there is an illustration of the former Minetti Mill, an iconic Colegiales building.
This branch fell into disuse as the settlement of Colegiales obstructed the roads. In 1978, the Military Government eradicated the settlement, while Molinos Minetti dismantled its plant.
Messina said: “The complex was abandoned for several years. In the mid-90s, it began to be populated again, this time by office workers and residents, as the original structure was recycled into modern lofts, maintaining its unique façade.”
It was in 1993 when they intervened to recover these abandoned properties, transforming them into homes and offices.
Braghini expanded: “in this rehabilitation process, the original exposed brick facades and structures were kept intact, dating back to the Belle Époque, a period in which Argentina stood out as one of the main global players. At that time, the country was known as the Breadbasket of the World.
A project where nature is also present
Symbolism and prices
Those who work or reside in this development that was once a manufacturing property, affirm that Silos de Dorrego has a special atmosphere. “Los Silos was the first luxury project that marked the beginning of this area, next to the Flea Market a few blocks away, aimed at a young and avant-garde public. With a heated pool, where lifeguard Gastón taught how to swim to boys and girls who are now adults who always want to return,” said Braulio Bauab , from Braulio Inmuebles.
The pool is part of the amenities
Among the amenities are a paddle tennis court, gymnastics classes and a modern-style restaurant bar where various artists exhibit their works on a rotating basis. Additionally, cultural details are incorporated, such as a community library where residents can drop off and pick up books, promoting a collaborative spirit.
View from one of the balconies
The development is made up of three low buildings, each with 5 floors. Two are round, where the original Silos were, and a third where the administration was, with rectangular or square units.
Homes and offices there are in demand for sale and there is usually a waiting list to rent them.
These properties range from 75 to 250 square meters. They have between 2 and 6 rooms. For sale there are lofts that start at prices of USD 200,000 and can go up to USD 900,000, the largest and most recycled ones.
Some properties are circular
Bauab expanded: “Rental prices range from USD 1,000 for small ones to USD 4,500 for larger ones. Longer-term rentals for homes and offices compete with Airbnb, where depending on size, lofts can be rented for USD 100 per day.”
Properties were sold with solid oak wood paneling, high-resistance aluminum enclosures and exclusively designed stainless steel fittings. Los Silos are characterized by an atmosphere of rustic comfort in harmony with nature, highlighting the spaciousness of their spaces, the double height and the integration with the environment.
The open concept is part of the lofts
“Lofts, recognized for their generous space and, in many cases, the inclusion of mezzanines, represent a break with convention. The layout of the space challenges established norms and provides a feeling of freedom. Located towards the rear, they offer exceptional views of green areas in the heart of the city. In Los Silos, they were designed without divisions, maximizing the 20 meters of windows that open towards the unique green environment of this area,” explained María Gabriela Assisi , from ReMax Del Plata.
Among the options for sale there is a loft that is distinguished by its highly technological approach, where creativity is manifested in the choice of furniture. Disused computer objects are reinvented as small tables, paintings made with server chips and operational chairs.
A loft where technology is part of the decoration and design
Assisi expanded: “The techno aesthetic is also reflected in the coating of the kitchen cabinet, with high-quality 304 steel and a built-in rack for ovens and wine cellars.”
Although it retains its historic charm, internal visits to the complex are not permitted, although from the outside you can observe exclusive events such as the famous white party, which celebrates elegance and glamor in a unique setting.
Bright bedrooms
Bauab concluded: “Among those who choose lofts to live today there are people of all ages. “This audience is looking for something unique and different, preferring the human scale of lofts over mega towers, but enjoying the advantages of the amenities offered by the project.”
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