Galerías Pacífico is a shopping centre at Avenida Córdoba and pedestrian Calle Florida in central Buenos Aires. Its late-19th-century Beaux-Arts building is the main reason to step inside: look up at the central dome and its murals by Argentine artists, including Antonio Berni and Juan Carlos Castagnino. You can also browse local and international shops, stop at the food court on the lower level, or visit Centro Cultural Borges for exhibitions and cultural events. It’s a worthwhile stop even if you don’t plan to shop.
A department store with several lives
The building was designed in 1888 and built in 1889 to house the Argentine Bon Marché, a department store modelled on Le Bon Marché in Paris. Its Beaux-Arts design, with arches and ornate details, was intended for shopping, but the building later took on other roles.
Part of it became the first home of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in 1896. In 1908, the British-owned Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway company acquired another section for offices. The building became a shopping centre in the 1990s and was declared a National Historic Monument in 1989. Those layers of use help explain why the complex feels different from a purpose-built modern mall.
Look up at the central dome
The central dome is the defining feature of the interior. Large murals painted by Argentine artists cover its surface. The artists associated with the work include Antonio Berni, Juan Carlos Castagnino, Lino Enea Spilimbergo, Demetrio Urruchúa and Manuel Colmeiro. The paintings date to the 1940s; accounts of the building also place the addition of the cupola and murals in the mid-1940s.
Pause in the centre of the space and look up to take in the paintings as a whole. From there, notice the arches, columns and decorative details around the galleries. The murals were restored in 1992. Their scale and placement make the dome a reason to visit even if shopping is not on your itinerary.
Shops, food and Centro Cultural Borges
The centre brings together international brands and local shops selling clothing, shoes, jewellery and other goods. The food court is on the lower level, with a range of dining options for a break between shops or sightseeing. The mall also has cafés and other places to eat.
Centro Cultural Borges is inside the complex and adds an arts programme to the visit. It hosts exhibitions and cultural events; tango is among the activities associated with the centre. Check its current programme if you want to plan around a specific exhibition or event. With the cultural centre, shopping galleries and historic interior under one roof, you can shape the stop around art, architecture, food or retail.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Galerías Pacífico?
It is at Avenida Córdoba 550, at the corner of Avenida Córdoba and pedestrian Calle Florida in central Buenos Aires.
What should I see inside Galerías Pacífico?
Look up at the central dome, which is covered with murals by Argentine artists. The building’s arches and decorative details are also worth seeing.
Is there more to do than shop?
Yes. You can visit Centro Cultural Borges for exhibitions and cultural events, or stop at the lower-level food court.
When is a quieter time to visit?
Early morning or a weekday is suggested for fewer crowds and easier photos.
