Altino Arantes Building (Farol Santander)

The Altino Arantes Building is an Art Deco skyscraper in São Paulo, Brazil. It was the headquarters of the Bank of the State of São Paulo, called Banespa, so many people simply call it the Banespa Building, or Banespão ('big Banespa'). It is 161 metres tall, has 35 floors, and was built between 1939 and 1947.

When it was opened on 27 June 1947 it was the tallest building in São Paulo, and it kept that title for almost twenty years. Its designer, Plínio Botelho do Amaral, took ideas from the Empire State Building in New York. Today the building is called Farol Santander ('Santander lighthouse') and is a cultural centre.

Why is it special?

Soon after it was finished it was called the biggest reinforced-concrete structure in the world, since many other giants such as the Empire State Building were built with steel. The building has 14 elevators, 900 steps and 1,119 windows. For years a glowing sign shone from its roof. It was listed as a heritage building in 2011, and the outside has not changed much since the 1960s, when it took Altino Arantes's name.

Visiting today

The building was closed for visits in 2015 for an inside renovation and reopened on 26 January 2018 as a cultural and entertainment centre named Farol Santander. Near the top, you can reach an observation deck from the 33rd floor by two sets of stairs. On a clear day it lets you see about 40 kilometres across São Paulo and other landmarks of the city.

On the globe

The model shows stepped setbacks rising to a glazed lantern at the top. Look for the lighthouse-like glass top.