A building that looks like an inverted ship draws attention in São Paulo: the Hotel Unique, with 84 meters, round windows, exposed concrete, and a red pool on top.

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 18/05/2026 at 07:42

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Hotel Unique draws attention in São Paulo with inverted ship shape, 84-meter facade, circular windows, red pool on top, and concrete engineering that defies traditional building logic

Hotel Unique, with 84 meters in length and an inverted arch shape, transformed the landscape of Jardins, in São Paulo, by combining exposed concrete, circular windows, and engineering capable of supporting a building narrow at the base and wide at the top.

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Hotel Unique became a landmark by challenging traditional buildings

Designed by Ruy Ohtake, the Hotel Unique became a symbol of contemporary architecture in São Paulo. The building resembles the keel of an inverted ship and emerges as a bold statement in the urban landscape.

The construction is located on Avenida Brigadeiro Luís Antônio, in Jardins, and has an 84-meter facade in a continuous arch.

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Engineering held wide arch at the top and narrow at the base

The structural challenge of the Hotel Unique lies in its unusual design. The upper part is wide, while the base is narrow, which required specific solutions to prevent it from toppling.

The reinforced concrete engineering created massive support walls at the ends, functioning as columns.

In the basement, deep stabilizers help distribute the weight in an unconventional way.

This structure requires high-strength materials and precise calculations. The project is studied in the notebooks of the Council of Architecture and Urbanism as an example of poetic brutalism, where concrete seems to defy gravity.

Hotel Unique, São Paulo, Building — Image: Reproduction / Youtube

Round windows preserve the curved facade of the “ship”

To preserve the continuous and curved facade, Ruy Ohtake avoided traditional rectangular windows. In the rooms, he placed circular portholes, which became visible signatures of the Hotel Unique.

These openings allow guests a framed view of the São Paulo skyline and Ibirapuera Park. At the same time, they maintain the visual reading of the building, without breaking the hull effect.

The choice reinforces the difference between the hotel and the classic luxury hospitality of São Paulo. While traditional models use discreet lines, standard large windows, and marble, the Unique bets on sculptural form, concrete, and visual experience.

Skye Bar creates the effect of a building floating over the Jardins

At the top of the building is the Skye Bar, crowning the structure with a red pool that contrasts with the city’s night lighting. The environment enhances the visual character of the hotel.

The design without visible guardrails and the wooden deck create the illusion that the bar floats over the buildings of the Jardins. The combination explains why it attracts the São Paulo public.

Facade requires washing, waterproofing, and care with copper

The exposed concrete of the Hotel Unique has a rustic appearance but suffers from stains caused by the metropolis’s pollution. Therefore, the building undergoes frequent washing and chemical waterproofing.

These processes prevent the “ship” from losing its original texture and reduce the risk of infiltration. The copper plates on the sides also require specific treatment to age gracefully.

Over time, the copper gains a greenish patina, which protects the metal without compromising the internal structure.

The result keeps the building as a reference in Brazilian architectural tourism and shows that hospitality can be sophisticated and surprising.

With information from BMC News.

A building that looks like an inverted ship draws attention in São Paulo: the Hotel Unique, with 84 meters, round windows, exposed concrete, and a red pool on top.

Hotel Unique draws attention in São Paulo with inverted ship shape, 84-meter facade, circular windows, red pool on top, and concrete engineering that defies traditional building logic

Hotel Unique became a landmark by challenging traditional buildings

Engineering held wide arch at the top and narrow at the base

Round windows preserve the curved facade of the “ship”

Skye Bar creates the effect of a building floating over the Jardins

Facade requires washing, waterproofing, and care with copper

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