Abandoned historic site in Palermo Woods becomes urban oasis

A neglected historic site within Buenos Aires' sprawling Palermo Woods has been revitalized into a vibrant hub for gastronomy, culture, and community engagement. The property at Andrés Bello 5950, formerly the Hostal del Lago, had lain abandoned for over 30 years after its concession expired in 1989. Spanning nearly a hectare, the site was originally designed by Carlos Thays in the late 19th century as part of the city's park system, featuring iron and glass structures intended for botanical experimentation.

Agustín Schlesinger, an entrepreneur and creative director of Avant Garten, led the project after winning a government tender to restore the derelict space. Upon first entering the property, Schlesinger described the scene as one of "total abandonment," with broken roofs, uncontrolled vegetation, and accumulated debris, including old fire trucks and even a ship's prow. The space felt more like a forgotten storage depot than a place for public use.

Schlesinger and his team's winning proposal, Casa Futuro, envisioned a project that would blend local culinary offerings, cultural programming, an educational garden, and spaces for social interaction, all harmoniously integrated with the park's landscape. The core principle of the intervention was restoration over replacement. Over a year of extensive work involved renovating electrical and plumbing systems, repairing all iron fixtures, and adding laurel wood paneling, LED lighting, and plant-based insulation. Crucially, the original building's shell was preserved, and even the dilapidated greenhouse was meticulously restored instead of being demolished.

The result is a space that respects its historical context while embracing contemporary functionality. The project successfully transformed a site marked by decay and disuse into an "oasis" within the city, offering a unique experience that combines environmental consciousness with cultural and gastronomic appeal. The emphasis on artisanal work and the preservation of original materials ensures that Casa Futuro stands as a testament to thoughtful urban regeneration.

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The abandonment was total. It was not just a deteriorated place, it was a space completely dismantled in terms of use. There were broken roofs, uncontrolled vegetation, areas that were directly impassable. But there were also quite unusual things: accumulated scrap metal, disused structures, old fire trucks, rusted tools, even the prow of an abandoned ship. More than a space to inhabit, it looked like a forgotten warehouse.