ConfiterÃa El Molino
The Confitería del Molino is a pastry in Balvanera district of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. This Art Nouveau building was declared a National Historical Monument in October 1997. It is located on Avenida Callao, corner of Avenida Rivadavia, north from the Congress Palace.
Description
1915 commissioned Cayetano Brenna, a well-known pastry chef, the Italian architect Francisco Gianotti, designing a house with a cafe on the ground floor. When it was completed in 1917, it was one of the tallest buildings in the city. Special features were the tower with its electric lighting, stained glass windows and the windmills. The Del Molino and the Galería Güemes were two of the best works of Gianotti and important examples of Art Nouveau architecture in Buenos Aires.
Over the years, the Del Molino become a popular meeting place for personalities from culture, economy and politics. On 23 February 1997, the pastry shop was closed and is now only open to draw attention to the need for restoration.