Lead-in brazil's largest city, São Paulo. A frenzied, sprawling, cosmopolitan metropolis of xxl proportions, which generates alone a hefty 11.5% of the country's entire gdp. It has taken barely half a century for the city's rapid growth to propel it to the ranks of economic, financial and even cultural capital, partly due to the influx of migrants from all corners of the world. Today, 70 different nationalities call the city home, as do all those who have migrated down from the north-eastern regions for work, making it the largest nordeste city in brazil. The old town's towering skyscrapers, the red lanterns of liberdade and bixiga's buzzing street parties, all bear testament to the many eclectic influences that have poured into this tropical melting pot. But make no mistake: despite its multicultural appearance, são paulo remains resolutely brazilian. Time for a closer look.

A Bird's eye view of São Paulo

By the 1930s, São Paulo had become an economic eldorado whose towering skyscrapers symbolised the city’s success. those selfsame buildings now offer stunning vantage points, delighting the modern-day visitor.

Edifício Martinelli
Av. São João, 35 Centro.

Latin America’s first ever skyscraper (1929) symbolising the phenomenal success of Giuseppe Martinelli, an Italian immigrant who made his fortune in the freight transport industry.

Edifício Altino Arantes
Rua João Brícola, 24 Centro

Standing proudly at 161m, this was the world’s tallest building outside the USA from 1947 to 1953. The Art Deco tower, inspired by the Empire State Building, offers sensational 360° views.

Edifício Itália.
Av. Ipiranga, 344.

Built in 1965, this is the city’s second-highest skyscraper. The figures speak for themselves: 46 floors, 165m high, 19 elevators, 4000 windows, 52,000m² of office space… Head to the Terraço Itália restaurant located on the top floor to take in the panoramic views.

Edifício Copan.
Av. Ipiranga, 200 República.

This postcard of São Paulo, the brainchild of modernist architect Oscar Niemeyer (1966), unfurls its meandering S-shaped curves along the perimeter of the historic quarters.

See

Itaim Bibi


Itaim Bibi is full of shopping surprises once you head slightly off the beaten track, and Rua João Cachoeira is renowned for its big-name outlets.

Instituto Tomie Othake
Rua Coropés, 88

This cultural centre dedicated to art, design and architecture bears the name of an important Paulista artist. While you’re here, enjoy a stroll around the chic and hip Vila Madalena neighbourhood.

MASP.
Avenida Paulista, 1578

Designed by Italo-Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi, the São Paulo museum of art sits on the city’s main thoroughfare and houses the largest collection in Latin America.

Discover more about São Paulo in the 4th issue of the Pullman Magazine, available at every Pullman Hotels & Resorts, or on AccorPressReader, the digital press service for AccorHotels Guests.

Text Virginia Rigot-Muller
Photo Algbedo Brant