Galerías Pacifico

The Galerías Pacifico building was inaugurated in 1895 and designed by the architects Francisco Seeber and Emilio Bunge.

It is one of the most splendid constructions in the city. It is located on the pedestrian Florida, one of the favorite stops of the Buenos Aires visitors.

The building was originally built to host the Au Bon Marché Argentina stores, but due economical issues, the stores were never inaugurated and other small shops were settled in the place.

In December of 1896, the galleries were transformed into the first Bellas Artes National Museum headquarters; in 1908, the Buenos Aires train to the pacific acquire the property for its offices and the name changed to Edificio Pacífico.

In 1945 the refurbishing work was directed by Jorge Aslan and Héctor Ezcurra architects. The work separates the offices area from the commercial stores and it was crowned with a 450 square meters dome covered by murals of the most important artist of the time. The twelve painted panels made up one of the most important Buenos Aires murals. The Antonio Berni fresco (1905-1981) is one of the most recognized internationally.

After years of abandonment, the galleries were refurbished and reopened in 1990 as a shopping mall. Due its architectonic style, Pacifico Galleries can be considerate one of Buenos Aires most elegant commercial centers. In its vault can be appreciated Spilimbergo gigantic frescos murals “El dominio de las fuerzas naturales”; Urruchúa, “La fraternidad”; Colmeiro, “La pareja humana”; Castagnino, “La vida domestica” and Berni, “El amor” of notable artistic value besides a colossal crystal lamp. The place was once a central train station. In the top floor Borges Cultural Center and Julio Bocca ballet school have its offices. The shopping has approximately 200 stores with options from couture to informal fashion, bookstores, jewelry stores, the best letter clothes, souvenirs, perfumeries, food plaza among others.

How to get to Galerías Pacifico

You can reach Galerias Pacifico by bus number: 6, 22, 23, 26, 28, 33, 45, 50, 54, 56, 61, 62, 91, 93, 99, 109, 115, 130, 140, 146, 152, 155.

Useful Information

Address: Florida y Av. Cordoba
Neighborhood: San Nicolás
Open: - Monday to Saturdays from 10:00 to 21:00
          - Sundays from 12:00 to 21:00 but the stores on Florida street
Information number: 5555-5110