Do you remember Caveirão? Initially built to be a parking garage in 1960, it was never completed. As its name suggests, it became a caveira (skull ) among the buildings near Praça da Sé.
Over the years, it became the illegal home of 60 families, but was recently vacated in 2018. The building had been receiving demolition orders that were not carried out by the last owner, who was fined for failing to comply with the measures imposed.
In February 2025, the court formalized the demolition order for the building and also ruled that the businessman should bear the costs of up to 6 million for the service, which took about 10 months to complete.
Beyond Caveirão: Other “ghost buildings” in São Paulo
São Paulo is full of abandoned buildings with incredible stories that have not yet been told or that few people know about.
How about revisiting some of them to get to know them better and find out what lies behind their empty and dilapidated facades?
Former 2nd Guard Battalion and former Hospice for the Insane
Photo: wikipedia/Ricardo Guimarães de Siqueira
The grand 15,000-square-meter building, located in the D. Pedro II Park area, is now abandoned, with broken windows, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, and cracked walls.
Since 1765, when it was built, the building has housed the Hospice for the Insane and even a convent. In 1905, it received the 2nd Army Guard Battalion and, shortly thereafter, the São Paulo Military Police.
Now 184 years old, the building is about to collapse due to termite infestation and weather damage. After plans by the São Paulo government to occupy the site in recent years, in January 2026 the case finally came to a conclusion: the court ruled that the building should be restored and used for some public purpose.
Building on Roberto Simonsen Street
Built in the 20th century, the 5-story building “survives” only because of its imposing facade, degraded by years of neglect, and the ground floor, which has been used as a parking lot since 2010.
Located near Praça da Sé, it has no name and, like the other equally forgotten buildings on the same block, there are no plans for its restoration, even after being listed as a historical heritage site.
Marieta Teixeira de Carvalho Mansion
Photo: wikipedia/Beatriz Salles
Built in the 1980s, the mansion that was the residence of Marieta Teixeira de Carvalho, the only daughter of Colonel Carlos Teixeira de Carvalho, is now degraded, with graffiti and moldy walls.
Even though it is considered by many to be a São Paulo relic due to its classic architecture, it still draws attention despite the signs of neglect.
After Marieta’s death in 1975, the property remained intact until her heirs decided to sell the furniture in the collection.
Subsequently, the building was transferred to the Monastery of São Bento, the current owner. Despite being listed as a historic landmark in 1981, the mansion did not receive any investment for restoration, which led to its current state of disrepair.