Palacete Riachuelo

Palacete Riachuelo is still one of São Paulo's most beautiful buildings. Designed by Cristiano Stockler das Neves, it was planned as a residence and is considered one of the first apartment buildings in Latin America. The project dates to 1925, but construction really got underway the following year. That's why 1926 is carved into the pediment at the very top, and the building was finished in 1928. Built in the late English Gothic style, it was warmly received by São Paulo residents and soon became one of the city's most elegant addresses, back when Anhangabaú was still a charming park. It's at Rua Dr Falcão Filho, 151, in São Paulo's Historic Center.

Palacete Riachuelo is the oldest apartment building in Brazil that's still standing! I'd love to live there someday.

The apartments and hallways are huge, with a kind of generous interior space you don't see in newer buildings. A building this size today would be split into two. It also has 24-hour reception, electric door access, and elevators. It's an old building with distinctive exterior architecture, but the apartments, facade, and corridors are in terrible condition. There's no maintenance, so everything looks worn out, with broken windows and lots of water leaks.