In April, we were surprised by the departure of Livraria Cultura from Conjunto Nacional, a memorable location in the company’s history. The place was a beloved cultural space for many São Paulo residents and caused a stir when retailer Magazine Luiza announced its new ownership of the area. Now, several of the group’s stores, such as Netshoes, KaBuM! and Época Cosméticos, will occupy what used to be filled with books.
Although many thought it was the end, the bookstore has just opened its doors at a new address, just as historic as its predecessor. On the internet, the mansion built in the 1920s has been shocking people with its beautiful architecture.
Where is the new Livraria Cultura store?
Located at number 1212 on the traditional Avenida Angélica, the neo-colonial mansion was listed as a historical heritage site in 2013 and has now been given a new function: to house Livraria Cultura
The 505 m² residence was originally designed by engineer Alexandre Ribeiro Marcondes Machado and commissioned by São Paulo doctor Adolpho Schmidt Sarmento to live there with his wife, Laura Beatriz de Moura Ribeiro Schmidt, and their children Carlos Adolfo, Lúcia Beatriz and Luis Alberto. The patriarch led the otorhinolaryngology department at São Paulo’s Santa Casa de Misericórdia until his death.
Over the decades, the space was also home to a boarding house, a medical clinic and bank branches for Bank of Boston and Itaú Personnalité. Now, the mansion is reopening with a more cultural proposal.
The bookshop’s mansion has preserved its neo-colonial style
The architectural aspects are the most striking thing about Livraria Cultura’s new home. Following the 1920s style, the building has a beautiful symmetrical façade decorated with green windows and decorative elements in relief. There is also a charming balcony.
Neutral, muted tones were chosen for the paintwork and the doors and jambs are made of wood. The ceiling is decorated with arabesques and moldings .