Linked to the Byington family, Fazenda Itahyê, located in Santana de Parnaíba, is a large rural complex that preserves natural areas while supporting agricultural and livestock production; it also hosts events and serves as a filming location for streaming platforms such as Netflix.
The property’s history began in 1923, when Alberto Byington, a businessman in the electric power sector, needed more firewood for the furnaces at his factory in Mooca. To streamline logistics and reduce supply costs, Alberto purchased nearby land, giving rise to what is now Fazenda Itahyê.
Covering approximately 1,000 alqueires, the property took on a new purpose in 1935, shifting to the production of Type A milk. At the time, the importation of cattle from Canada, the Netherlands, and the U.S. made the then-Itahyê Farm a pioneer in automated milking and milk pasteurization in South America.
With strict sanitary controls in place, the facility’s corridors featured glass panels that allowed visitors to observe the process up close.
Since 2017, the Itahyê Group has resumed agricultural operations through its Fazenda Itahyê Orgânicos unit. Its certified vegetables are primarily sold to the Alphaville, Tamboré, and Aldeia da Serra regions, as well as locations in the western part of São Paulo.
Pérola Byington and the Social Legacy
Alberto Byington’s wife, Pérola Byington, was a teacher and philanthropist who played a prominent role inmaternal and child health care in São Paulo.
For more than 30 years, she led and chaired, alongside public health educator Maria Antonieta de Castro, the Cruzada Pró-Infância—an NGO dedicated to combating infant mortality and supporting mothers and children in socially vulnerable situations.
Fazenda Itahyê was part of this philanthropic endeavor: some of the milk produced by the former Granja Itahyê supported the NGO’s efforts, strengthening child nutrition initiatives.
The Pérola Byington Hospital was even named in honor of and in recognition of the legacy of the Pro-Childhood Crusade and its social work.
A setting for movies and TV series
Although it is a private property with no plans to open to the public, it’s quite likely that you’ve already seen Fazenda Itahyê on screen.
Between 2018 and 2020, HBO filmed the second season of *A Vida Secreta dos Casais* and the production *A Névoa* on the property. Netflix also filmed the first season of *Boca a Boca* and scenes from the fourth episode of *De Volta aos 15* between 2019 and 2022.
In addition, the site has hosted shoots for editorials and advertising campaigns. It also served as the setting for the film *Vovó Ninja*, starring Glória Pires.
Today, with 64 springs, areas of restored native vegetation, cattle ranching, and eucalyptus plantations, the farm maintains its historic rural buildings and barns in good condition and hosts social and corporate events, in addition to serving as a backdrop for photo shoots.
