One of the cultural attractions that has aroused the most interest this summer in Mar del Plata is the so-called “House on the Stream” or “House on the Bridge”. This architectural piece of enormous value was restored – after decades of abandonment – by order of former president Alberto Fernández, who traveled to inaugurate it himself, in April 2023.
The novelty is that this summer the house can be visited for the first time. And there are so many people who want to see it that it is advisable to reserve the (free) entry on the website, before traveling to Mar del Plata.
But this is not the only construction worth visiting there. The entire city can be considered an open-air museum, which at every step exhibits signs of its glorious past, from the aristocratic boom of the first decades of the 20th century, to the years of Peronism, in which the spa was transformed into a paradise of tourism. popular tourism.
With less splendor but no less interesting, Pinamar and Ostende, in General Madariaga’s party, also have a valuable architectural heritage. Among its illustrious homes are those built by the great Clorindo Testa (also the author of the Balneario La Perla in Mar del Plata) and some historic houses, such as the now legendary Viejo Hotel Ostende, which turns 110 years old in 2024.
Here, we show you a selection of essential buildings on the Coast. A first tour to encourage the desire to continue discovering houses and exciting stories of our country.
Mar del Plata in the past
Made at the request of the musician Alberto Williams to his son and daughter-in-law, the architects Amancio Williams and Delfina Gálvez Bunge, the “House on the Brook” began to be designed in 1943. It is one of the most beautiful examples of the modern movement in Argentine architecture and, as its name indicates, it has the particularity of having been built like a bridge, in reinforced concrete , in complete harmony with the forest and the stream that make up the landscape. As described in the text that formally presents it, “this work, which also has sculptural values, synthesizes almost abstract geometric shapes.” has been declared National Historical Artistic Monument; Cultural heritageHistorical, Architectural and Environmental of the Province of Buenos Aires and of Heritage, Cultural, Natural Interest by the Municipality of General Pueyrredón.
Those who want to meet her must make a reservation on the Eventbrite page. Only groups of 20 people are allowed to enter.
As Francisco Taverna, director of Culture of the Municipality, points out, the historic houses of Mar del Plata could be divided into those that can be visited, because they belong to the city, and those that are worth visiting from outside, because they are in private hands.
Among the first, one of the best known is Villa Victoria, the house that belonged to the Ocampo family and that Victoria Ocampo He donated it to UNESCO, an institution that later sold it to the Municipality. This iron and wood mansion was brought piece by piece by ship from England and built, in 1912, in the Los Troncos neighborhood. The original land was two hectares. Today the house occupies only one. While Victoria Ocampo was its owner, it became a meeting center for the intellectuals of the time, regularly visited by Jorge Luis Borges, Adolfo Bioy Casares, Eduardo Mallea and many others. Today converted into an active cultural center, you can tour inside, attend courses, talks and workshops and enjoy an excellent concert program in its extensive garden.
Those who want to follow in the footsteps of the Ocampo family in Mar del Plata cannot fail to also know Villa Silvina, which was the summer residence of Adolfo Bioy Casares and Silvina Ocampo. The English-style house is today occupied by the Mar del Plata Day School. But it is worth admiring from the outside.
Another notable residence that it is possible to see inside is Villa Ortiz Basualdoheadquarters of Juan Carlos Castagnino Municipal Art Museum. It is located on Loma de Stella Maris, very close to other mansions (Villa Normandy and Villa Blaquier) with which it forms an architectural complex that is a National Historical Monument. The house was originally French in style but a later renovation turned it into Anglo-Norman style. Its value lies, fundamentally, in being a testimony to an exceptional time in the city. In fact, part of the Museum’s exhibition exhibits the decoration that these great houses had and the way in which daily life developed in them. Regarding the institution’s art collection, the works of Juan Carlos Castagnino, donated by his family, are the main attraction. Also part of its collection are paintings by Berni, Forner, Presas, Alonso, Cogorno and Butler, among others. Temporary exhibitions by current artists from Mar del Plata also integrate the Museum’s activities.
On the other coast
In December it was 100 years since the birth of Clorindo Testathe architect who created iconic buildings such as the National Library and the Bank of London. To celebrate this anniversary, Pinamar planned activities in honor of him, which include visiting the houses that the creator made in the city, where he used to spend his summers (more information on the Agenda Pinamar website).
The first thing worth knowing is what was his own home, “Capotesta”, located in Pinamar Norte, a three-volume structure where the main rooms of the house look at the landscape and the sea. He also designed “The lounger”, a construction built on the sand and set on stilts, which is why, when the sea advances, it seems to sail on the water. It is shaped like a prism and is painted terracotta. What is called today Glamping Alterra It is also the creation of Clorindo Testa, a construction originally intended to be an art gallery. Located in the middle of the forest, its structure brings together two volumes painted in cheerful colors.
From a much earlier time is another of the area’s jewels: the Old Ostend Hotel, which turns 110 years old in 2024. It was founded in 1913 as Hotel Termas and as part of a global spa project. It has a French style, according to the canons of the Belle Époque. The project continues to this day.
Its current owners have not only taken care of the original architecture, they also preserve the so-called “Room 51”, which housed Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 1930 and where he wrote his first great work “Night Flight”. The Hotel has become a true cultural center where conferences, concerts and open-air screenings are held. It also has a bookstore, I’ll Call You Friday, open to guests and visitors. Guided tours allow you to see the hotel inside.
And one last pearl. The little house of Arturo Frondizi and his wife, Elena Faggionatobuilt in 1935 in wood.
Subjected to the onslaught of winds and dunes, “La Elenita” survived the inclement weather as a lesson in austerity and simplicity for future generations.
We appreciate the collaboration of the Municipality of Pinamar and the Culture Directorate of the Municipality of General Pueyrredón.
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