Altino Arantes Building, São Paulo Travel Guide

The Altino Arantes Building, often called the Banespa Building or Banespão, is a landmark Art Deco skyscraper in São Paulo, Brazil. Completed in 1947, it was designed by Plínio Botelho do Amaral, drawing inspiration from New York City's Empire State Building. The building served as the headquarters for the Banco do Estado de São Paulo (Banespa) and was the tallest in São Paulo for about two decades.Standing at 161 meters (528 feet) with 36 floors, the Altino Arantes Building offers stunning panoramic views of São Paulo from its observation deck on the 34th floor. Visitors can see landmarks like the Municipal Market, Sé Cathedral, and Edifício Itália. The building also houses the Banespa Museum on the 3rd floor, which chronicles the history of the bank and the building itself.The building's architecture showcases Art Deco style with streamlined, geometric forms and intricate details. Originally named the Banespa Building, it was later renamed to honor Altino Arantes Marques, the first Brazilian president of Banespa. The building reopened as a cultural and entertainment center named Farol Santander in 2018 after renovations.