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In São Paulo, The City Hall Released Free Guided Tours of The Martinelli Building with 150 Slots Per Day to Highlight a Century-Old Building and Broaden Access to The Historic Center
The Martinelli Building has once again attracted attention in downtown São Paulo following the confirmation of its reopening for free visits. With over 100 years of history and more than 100 meters in height, the building resumes a symbolic role in the city by allowing the public to circulate through its floors once more.
The reopening marks a new moment for the city’s first skyscraper. Tours will begin on Tuesday, August 5, amidst revitalization works that are still ongoing in the building located on Avenida São João.
The initiative draws attention not just for its historical value, but for its urban impact. The expectation is that the building will become one of the most visited spots in the city in the coming years.
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First Skyscraper of São Paulo Welcomes The Public Again After Decades of Transformations
The Martinelli Building’s construction began in 1924 and quickly became a symbol of São Paulo’s vertical growth. At that time, its height of over 100 meters changed the city’s landscape and marked a new phase of urban architecture.
Over time, the building went through different cycles. In the 1930s and 1940s, it was a meeting point for the elite of São Paulo. After World War II, it fell into decline and was even occupied irregularly in the following decades.
The expropriation occurred in the 1970s, ending a critical period in the building’s history and paving the way for new institutional functions.
Free Visits Occur Once a Week with Limited Slots
Visits to the Martinelli Building occur exclusively on Tuesdays. The starting time is at 12:30 PM, with new groups every hour until 5:30 PM.
There will be 150 slots available each visitation day. Reservations must be made on the Thursday of the previous week, via online registration.
Those who wish to attend the first day of visitation, scheduled for August 5, can already seek a slot starting July 31. Entry is free, which broadens access for residents and tourists.
Terrace Becomes The Highlight of The Experience for Visitors
In this initial moment, the highlight of the tour is the terrace located on the top floors of the building. The space offers a wide view of the central area and had previously been opened to the public on some weekends throughout 2024.
Last year marked the centenary of the Martinelli Building, during which around 100,000 people visited the site. The number reinforced public interest in the historic building.
The city hall chose to resume visitation gradually, concentrating the initial experience on the terrace while works continue in other areas.
Project Foresees Transformation into Cultural and Tourist Complex
Since 1979, the Martinelli Building has housed offices of the Government of the State of São Paulo. Now, the renewal plan expands this function.
The project known as M100, created in 2024, provides for the establishment of cafés, bars, restaurants, a museum, and an observatory. The proposal is to transform the building into an active complex throughout the day.
The city hall’s expectation is that, after the completion of the renovations, the building will receive up to 1 million visitors per year, consolidating its position as one of the main tourist attractions in the city.
The reopening of the Martinelli Building demonstrates how a historic structure can gain a new function without losing its identity. This measure reinforces the appreciation of São Paulo’s downtown and reignites the population’s interest in one of the city’s most iconic symbols.
What do you think about the reopening of the Martinelli Building for free visits? Have you visited the building or do you plan to? Leave your comment and join the conversation.
Eu vou me sentir como se fosse naquela época que tinha o pessoal da elite
Conheci o Martinelli no meu primeiro dia de S. Paulo: 30.11.66. E quem encontramos na saída dos demorados elevadores no térreo? Wilson Simonal, então no auge da fama. Frequentei várias vezes o Sindicato do Bancários, então no prédio. Que tenha bom retorno, este ícone de Sampa!