100-Year-Old Theatre In Buenos Aires Repurposed Into Amazing Bookstore

15 years ago Buenos Aires along with the whole of Argentina - was going through rough times. Its economy collapsed taking a part of the city's beauty with it, but one marvel shone through it all. It's the El Ateneo Grand Splendid - one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

This architectural marvel, once called the Grand Splendid Theatre, was designed by architects Peró and Torres Armengol a hundred years ago. In the late twenties, it was turned into a cinema which brought the first sound films to Argentina. Its latest transformation happened in the year 2000 when the whole building was renovated and turned into an enormous bookshop designed by architect Fernando Manzone.

The architect kept the feeling of The Grand Splendid Theatre, leaving the style and artworks as they were and replacing seats with bookshelves. The idea paid off as it has become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Buenos Aires that welcomes over one million visitors every year.

More info: el ateneo grand splendid (h/t: boredpanda)

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Enjoyed this? Then take a look at this 100-year-old church repurposed into a wicked cool skatepark.