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The incredible history of the Buenos Aires building of the 39 sculptures and how much it costs to live there - Infobae
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February 18, 2024
This construction, erected in 1911, stands out as an icon of Liberty Milanese, the Italian Art Nouveau style. The façade, a unique work of art, bears the signature of renowned architect Virginio Colombo and sculptor Ercole Pasina, adding a rare distinctive element
By José Luis Cieri
The facade of the property located in Balvanera. Art is reflected in all its dimensions (Photo Courtesy: @ivanbuenosaires)
At Hipólito Yrigoyen at 2500, in Balvanera, Buenos Aires, and a short distance from Plaza Miserere, stands a Buenos Aires architectural jewel that dates back to 1911. The building stands out for having the largest number of sculptures in the city. It faithfully represents the Milanese Liberty style , a manifestation of Italian Art Nouveau , where art is already manifested in its unique façade.
Casa Calise , named after the homonymous family of winemakers, reflects its origin as a construction of luxurious rental properties with commercial premises on the ground floor. Currently, some units of the building, which boasts the protection of Historical Heritage by the Buenos Aires Government, are for sale. Although descendants of the Malise family work primarily with wine in Mendoza, the house's legacy lives on in Buenos Aires.
At the entrance there is the seal of Virginio Colombo, the architect who was awarded for several works on the centenary of the Homeland, in 1910 (Photo Courtesy: @ivanbuenosaires)
It is one of the most famous works of the architect Virginio Colombo (Milan, Italy, in 1885 and died in Buenos Aires in 1927). Its builder was Pedro Ferloni and the sculptor Ercole Pasina whose name also appears along with that of the architect on the front of the property, something unusual.
The Calise House is distinguished by its exceptional profusion of artistic elements. With 13 female statues, 10 cherubs, 12 female heads on the corbels, 3 stained glass windows, and a scene that evokes a crucifixion on its forehead, the sculptural richness is evident.
It is the building with the most sculptures in Buenos Aires
The main portico presents a forge that represents a Nautilus, while bouquets of grapes adorn the structure, recalling the connection of the Calise family, its clients, with the wine industry. The two main entrances share a shield decorated with 4 female sculptures, and the openwork party wall allows the statues to be seen from one shield to the other.
“There are 10 female masks on corbels and two satyr masks on the balconies, all made by Ercole Pasina. The cherubs are elements that invoke protection, since the Bible they were the custodians of the Garden of Eden from which Adam and Eve were expelled. The central relief that crowns the house is not described in any book, but it could be Prometheus and Pandora. The figure carries a torch. According to mythology, Prometheus stole a bolt of fire from Zeus' chariot and gave it to men. Zeus sent Pandora to punish him and he rejected her from his brother, Epimetheus, no, and thus the myth of Pandora was born, which opens the basket of all the evils that Prometheus had locked in a basket," Alejandro Machado, a researcher at Infobae , told Infobae. the architecture of the period 1880-1930 and author of the blog specialized in Virginio Colombo.
The façade was restored in 2018 and the property is protected as Historical Heritage of the city
This great architect died at the age of 43 in his studio at 2091 Moreno Street, as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. His death left some doubts and his mark was left on more than 50 works such as the so-called Peacock House, on Avenida Rivadavia at 3200.
Defined style
Art Nouveau, as the first international movement to break with the academic and historicist styles of the 19th century, sought to democratize beauty and socialize art. Inspired by nature and Japanese art, it stood out for its curved line, asymmetry, exuberance, and vegetal expressiveness.
The Peacock House, also in Balvanera, another Colombo masterpiece
Iván Malesani, vice president of the Art Nouveau Buenos Aires Association, highlights that this movement, known by different names depending on the country, left a unique mark on the city through architects trained in Europe. “Ornament, especially in ironwork and statuary, was prominent, being evident in the 1910 centenary exhibition in the city.”
Casa Calise presents notable differences from another architectural gem such as the Otto Wulff with Atlanteans and representations of local fauna on its façade, a unique Jugendstil style building in Germany. This style, also known as Young Art Nouveau, incorporates neo-Gothic and Renaissance features, with influences from Norse mythology.
As for the Calise House, on its façade there are also bouquets of roses and the 2 nautilus (one of the architectural tics of Colombo), a mollusk that represents perfection, the golden or Fibonacci number.
“The Peacock House, with its pointed arches and ornamental motifs, evokes the architecture of Venice, present in several works by Colombo. It highlights the four pairs of peacocks on the red granite balconies of the upper first floor and the lions that support the balconies of the upper second floor,” Malesani explained.
A little about the history of Casa Calise
The property, initially intended for rental purposes, underwent a significant change with the Horizontal Property Law of 1948, allowing the occupants to acquire the homes.
This is what the building once looked like in black and white (Photo Courtesy: Germán Scopel)
Malesani noted: "In addition to the housing units, it houses an extensive commercial premises that originally belonged to the La Campagnola firm and was later acquired by Arcor."
It has 4 entrances and 52 units distributed in three bodies, along with two warehouses on the ground floor, which include a basement, with a covered area of 7,368 m2.
View of one of the entrance halls to the historic construction (Photo Courtesy: @ivanbuenosaires)
“Initially, the Calises used part of the building to store their products, later renting spaces to other companies,” according to Machado.
Over the years, both the building and its surroundings experienced various economic crises in the country. Residents with higher incomes moved to other neighborhoods, and the lack of maintenance contributed to many of the apartments being occupied by families with limited resources.
Malesani said a group of co-owners interested in preserving the heritage and recognizing the importance of the building came together. “Through the Subsidy Program of the Ministry of Culture of the Buenos Aires Government, they obtained funds that made it possible to recover the front in 2018, under the direction of architects Elina Tassara, Ricardo Fuentes and Christian Le Monnier.”
The stained glass windows were recovered
The restoration project of the Calise House required an estimated cost of 7 million pesos 6 years ago. Part of that money was obtained through the patronage program, with contributions from three companies: Telefónica de Argentina, Banco Hipotecario and Allaria Ledesma & Cía. The consortium, with state backing, took the initiative to contact the companies, presenting the project for evaluation.
Machado highlighted that "this program allows companies to allocate up to 10% of the amount they pay as Gross Income to finance cultural projects of interest."
Sculptures, cherubs and stained glass windows are part of the art that appears throughout the building (Photo Courtesy: @ivanbuenosaires)
What are the properties for sale like?
There are options for investors in the iconic building. Among them are two block premises, with an outstanding volumetry and a total area of 1,434 m2 with access to the street.Germán Scopel, of Germán Scopel Servicios Inmobiliarios, said that “this proposal has an attractive price of USD 480,000, and both spaces are ideal for various uses, from institutional and business to artistic and cultural endeavors. “They should be completely recycled.”
Additionally, a 10-room apartment is for sale, with 231 m2, located on the second floor to the front with a balcony. Currently configured as a family hotel due to co-ownership restrictions, this versatile space can be adapted for commercial, professional, office use, among others. It is marketed for USD 159,000 with high ceilings, 4 bathrooms and a kitchen.
The premises for sale are on both sides of these doors with important hardware
“These properties captured the attention of local and foreign investors. The rich Argentine architectural history particularly attracts Europeans, such as the Dutch, Belgians and Germans who visit the place frequently,” Scopel added.
Among the homes on the market, one has 3 rooms, 83 m2, 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms, and is worth $85,000.
“Its circular layout and original wooden openings highlight the attention to detail, while the preservation of the original structure highlights its nobility. The high ceilings and a small patio for exclusive use add a distinctive touch to the property,” explained Juan Cruz Abal , from ReMax Vincit.
One of the homes currently for sale is owned by a musician (Photo Courtesy: ReMax Vincit)
Strategically located at the back of the building, this apartment enjoys tranquility in the midst of the bustle of Balvanera.
Abal added: “Its position in the lungs of the block makes it silent. This feature, together with its ground floor layout, makes it a versatile option for various uses, from professional practice to creative adaptations.”
Another unit for sale is located on the first floor at the front with a balcony and a large internal patio, with a total of 233 m2 and the uniqueness of not sharing the apartment with neighbors. It's worth $250,000.
Property with different internal circulation options
“The building features architectural details such as solid oak wood carpentry, ornate iron bars and doors, stained glass, tiled floors and Carrara marble stairs. Although the unit requires restoration, its potential is evident,” commented Diego Oks , of Century 21 Oks.
Made up of two bodies connected by a small hallway, the property presents rooms with double-height ceilings, period details and connections to each other. The first body houses the rooms, while the second, with a central patio, has the kitchen, bathroom, toilet and other rooms.
Wall and ceiling moldings, original oak floors, and details like wall hanging rails highlight the history and charm of the place.
With solid wood doors, high ceilings and moldings
“Although subdivisions were made over time, these modifications are reversible. The versatility of the unit makes it ideal for different uses, “from a tourist venture due to the influx of visitors to a family home,” Oks concluded.
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