Headquarters of the Bank of the Argentine Nation

Headquarters of the Bank of the Argentine Nation
Casa Central del Banco de la Nación Argentina
View of main facade portico
Location in Buenos Aires
Alternative names	Banco Nación Casa Central
General information
Architectural style	Monumental Neoclassical
Address	Bartolomé Mitre 326
Town or city	Buenos Aires
Country	Argentina
Coordinates	34°36′26″S 58°22′17″W
Construction started	1940
Completed	1955 (final details)
Inaugurated	1944
Client	Government of Argentina
Technical details
Structural system	Reinforced concrete
Floor count	9
Floor area	100,000 m2 (1,100,000 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Alejandro Bustillo
National Historic Monument of Argentina

The Headquarters of the Bank of the Argentine Nation (Spanish: Casa Central del Banco de la Nación Argentina), more often referred locally as Banco Nación Casa Central, is a monumental bank building next to the Plaza de Mayo, founding site of Buenos Aires and host of major events in the history of the country.

Designed by renowned Argentine architect Alejandro Bustillo in a Neoclassical style with French influences, the 100,000 m² (1,100,000 sq ft) building occupies an entire city block and was inaugurated in 1944. The building is located close to Casa Rosada, which is the official workplace of the President of the Argentine Republic. The current building has a stone facade, granite floors, and mahogany and cedar-paneled walls.

With a dome 50 m (160 ft) in diameter, the building is a National Historic Landmark.

History

The headquarters are located in the San Nicolás neighborhood of Buenos Aires on the site of the Teatro Colón's first building, bought by the national government in 1888 and later designated as main offices of the recently founded national bank. The edifice was remodeled in 1910 by architect Adolfo Büttner to better suit its new role.

In 1938 Alejandro Bustillo presented a new design for a much larger, 100,000 m² (1,100,000 sq ft) structure, which was built in two stages between 1940 and 1955.

Architectural evolution of the Headquarters of the Bank of the Argentine Nation

Original building of the Teatro Colón c. 1880

Adolfo Büttner's remodel in 1910

Current Neoclassical building by Alejandro Bustillo

The building is also home to the Alejandro Bustillo Art Gallery, established in 1971, as well as to a historic and numismatic museum.

See also

• Headquarters of the Provincial Bank of Córdoba
• List of National Historic Monuments of Argentina
• Bank of the Argentine Nation

External links

• Banco de la Nación Argentina (in Spanish)
• Casa Central del Banco de la Nación Argentina at Picasa Web Albums