Daily Archives: January 13, 2011

Barrio Norte in Buenos Aires, located on the southern end of the Recoleta Neighborhood, is a residential area with plenty of shopping and dining to boot. One destination store in Barrio Norte is the El Ateno Grand Splendid Bookstore, housed in the former Teatro Gran Splendid, built in 1919. After its life as a theater for both live performances and the first motion pictures with sound, the structure gained a new life as home to the El Ateno Bookstores flagship store. Former seating areas on the main floor and balconies are now bookshelves, box seats serve as reading areas, and the stage is now a cafe. Barely south of Barrio Norte is the Palacio de las Aguas Corrientes (The Water Company Palace), built in 1877 as a water pumping station. Who would guess that this impressive building serves so humble a purpose? The exterior is covered by 300,000 glazed tiles from the British ceramics manufacturer Royal Doulton. Continue reading →