Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima (in English: ''Brigadeiro Faria Lima Avenue''), most commonly known as just ''Faria Lima'', is an important avenue in the city of

São Paulo São Paulo (; ; Portuguese for 'Paul the Apostle, Saint Paul') is the capital of the São Paulo (state), state of São Paulo, as well as the List of cities in Brazil by population, most populous city in Brazil, the List of largest cities in the ...

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. It spans the upscale Pinheiros, Jardim Paulistano, Itaim Bibi and Vila Olímpia neighborhoods. It is the main

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in Brazil, being also an important commercial center that rivals the

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and

Paulista Avenue Paulista Avenue (Avenida Paulista in Portuguese language, Portuguese, ''Paulistas, Paulista'' being the demonym for those born in the state of State of São Paulo, São Paulo) is one of the most important avenues in São Paulo (city), São Paulo, ...

areas. The avenue has recently started to be perceived as some sort of "Brazilian

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" due to the many financial institutions headquartered there or on adjacent streets. Examples include BTG Pactual, Itaú BBA, Bradesco BBI (three of Brazilian biggest investment banks),

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, Bank of America Merrill Lynch,

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, UBS and many others. It is not home to the city's stock exchange - the largest stock exchange in Brazil, B3, is located in the Historic Center of São Paulo - although B3 do hold an office on the avenue.

History

Avenida Faria Lima was built in the late 1960s, with an initial stretch lying between Rua Iguatemi ("Iguatemi Street"), in the Itaim Bibi district, and Largo da Batata ("Potato Square"), in the neighborhood of Pinheiros, crossing the Jardins region of the city. Initiated in 1967 by São Paulo's then mayor, Brevet Brigadier José Vicente Faria Lima, it would receive his name two years later, after his death. By 1970, the construction of several high-rise commercial buildings was started, tearing through the middle of the large residential area that had been there before. The large

skyscraper A skyscraper is a tall continuously habitable building having multiple floors. Most modern sources define skyscrapers as being at least or in height, though there is no universally accepted definition, other than being very tall high-rise bui ...

s that started to rise above the Jardins prompted it to be called the "Second Paulista." In the 1990s, then mayor Paulo Maluf devised a plan to extend the avenue in both directions, to the north between Largo da Batata and Pedroso de Moraes Avenue in Pinheiros, and to the south between Cidade Jardim Avenue in Jardim Paulistano and Hélio Pellegrino Avenue in Vila Olímpia. This was done by widening a small residential road in Itaim Bibi. The project was controversial because it would displace many citizens, and it was argued that the rapid expansion of the city would make it only a temporary solution to the growing traffic problems, but it was carried out and opened in the late 1990s.

Landmarks

On Faria Lima Avenue, there are many popular and important places that attract locals (''Paulistanos'') and visitors alike, such as: * Iguatemi São Paulo Shopping Center - the first

shopping mall A shopping mall (or simply mall) is a large indoor shopping center, usually Anchor tenant, anchored by department stores. The term ''mall'' originally meant pedestrian zone, a pedestrian promenade with shops along it, but in the late 1960s, i ...

built in the city and in Brazil, opened in 1966. It is among the most luxurious in the country. * Museum of the Brazilian Home ( Portuguese: ''Museu da Casa Brasileira'') - a museum for Brazilian and international

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...

and

interior design Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. With a keen eye for detail and a Creativity, creative flair, an ...

. * Pinheiros Sport Club - one of the oldest sport clubs in the city, it contains large open fields and many recreational facilities in the heart of the city. * Wall Street English - one of the most modern units of the international English School. The area is also known for its newly built and futuristic skyscrapers, such as: * Dacon Building - with its

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design, it is one of the most iconic skyscrapers in São Paulo. * Infinity Tower - location of

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(top floor), and others. * Pátio Victor Malzoni - location of BTG Pactual,

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(top floor), Grupo Cimed recently moved to the third floor of the property. The avenue itself and its surroundings have a prominent nightlife, with numerous bars and night clubs. The area also has other important city landmarks, such as Eldorado Shopping Center, and many elegant restaurants and hotels.

References

* Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima at the Portuguese Wikipedia

History

Landmarks

References

External links