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Steps away from the Obelisk: The 40th edition of Casa FOA will take place in a giant building, iconic in downtown Buenos Aires - Infobae
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A pasos del Obelisco: la edición 40 de Casa FOA se hará en un edificio gigante, icónico del microcentro porteño
El inmueble está en desuso y luego de la exposición será reconvertido. Este año, unos 40 expositores mostrarán en el tradicional evento sus adelantos para el hogar y la oficina
www.infobae.com
August 19, 2024
The building is in disuse and will be converted after the exhibition. This year, some 40 exhibitors will be showing their advances for the home and office at the traditional event.
By Jose Luis Cieri
The Plata Building, currently unoccupied, will be transformed into a housing project in the future
Casa FOA, the architecture, design and landscaping exhibition, announced that its 40th edition will take place from October 11 to November 10 at the iconic Edificio del Plata, located in downtown Buenos Aires, opposite the Obelisco.
This year, the exhibition celebrates four decades of existence under the concept Inside the box . The proposal invites visitors to place themselves inside the architectural space where the main trends for the home and office will be displayed.
It will take place in the Edificio del Plata, located at Carlos Pellegrini 200. Afterwards, the building will begin an urban transformation, driven by its owner, the IRSA company, in conjunction with public policies of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires to recover downtown Buenos Aires. The date for the start of these changes has not yet been confirmed.
In 1947, the then Municipality of Buenos Aires promoted the construction of a building for offices and a market on the ground floor. The old Mercado del Plata was demolished in 1950, and construction was completed in 1961. Inaugurated a year later by Mayor Alberto Prebisch , the building housed government offices and a branch of Banco Ciudad on the ground floor. The market disappeared shortly after due to changes in consumption patterns and the disappearance of markets in Buenos Aires.
Reference
Casa FOA, which organizes an annual exhibition, is a reference in the Argentine cultural agenda and enjoys great prestige in the region. In addition to revaluing emblematic buildings, it supports the Jorge Malbran Argentine Ophthalmological Foundation, which offers free ophthalmological care through its program “Para verte mejor, Argentina.”
The property has 44,000 m2
The choice of the Edificio del Plata has a strong meaning because of what it represents for the city. Catalina Ulloa , architect of the exhibition, explained to Infobae that “as an icon of urbanism in Buenos Aires, its location is key to restructuring the downtown area. Being meters from the Obelisco and on one of the most important avenues, the building becomes the protagonist of the exhibition.” This is in line with the concept Inside the box , where the property becomes a large container of creativity.
Ulloa stressed that Casa FOA enhances the iconic value of the building, transforming it into a large container that triggers ideas and creativity among exhibitors. “It is essential to think about how this building will be reused and valued, and how its use will change in the future,” he added.
This year's edition will contribute to the Plan for the Transformation and Reconversion of the Buenos Aires Microcentre promoted by the Buenos Aires Government. Since its inception, dozens of properties have been recovered, such as the Darwin Lofts in Villa Crespo; the Dorrego Silos in Colegiales; the Tattersal in Palermo; Molina Ciudad in Barracas; and the Palacio Cabrera, also in Palermo, among many others.
“Bringing these heritage buildings to the public’s attention, allowing them to discover spaces that may have been closed for a long time. This highlights the importance of each venue, as it inspires exhibitors and provides a common thread for visitors,” said Ulloa, who underlined the relevance of Casa FOA in the recovery and enhancement of iconic buildings.
From offices to housing in a dynamic area
The restoration of the Edificio del Plata, a project led by IRSA, offers an opportunity for revaluation and transformation for residential use. Its features include the creation of an urban plaza on the Pasaje Carabelas and a large entrance hall that connects to Carlos Pellegrini Street through an interior passage.
The property, historically used as an office building and with 44,000 square meters, 9 floors and 3 basements, will be used for residential purposes. Ulloa said that this change of use is key to reactivating the downtown area.
“The restructuring is in line with the objectives of transforming and revitalizing this area of the city, giving it a new purpose that includes residential housing and ground-floor commercial spaces,” he said. This program includes an area delimited by avenues such as San Juan, Entre Ríos and Callao, where the lowest interest rates on the market are offered for UVA mortgage loans.
The Buenos Aires government was one of the last to use the facilities of this downtown giant
The mortgage loans announced by Banco Ciudad allow for the purchase, renovation, improvement and expansion of homes in this area at a rate of 3.5%, the lowest available.
"This makes it easier to buy a first home in the Microcentro, making it more accessible to live in one of the most central and emblematic areas of Buenos Aires," reported the real estate market.
The last edition was held last year at the former Shooting Range in Núñez, where the Innovation Park is developing.
The requirements to access these loans include having proof of salary in the bank, allocating the loan to a single and permanent home in the Microcentro, and that the installment does not exceed 25% of the family income.
The maximum loan amount is $250,000,000, adjustable by UVA, with terms of 10, 15 and up to 20 years.
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