ACA replaces iconic Libertador Avenue totem, angering heritage defenders

A familiar landmark on Buenos Aires’ Avenida del Libertador has disappeared, replaced by a modern sculpture that has drawn criticism from Recoleta residents and heritage advocates.

The Automóvil Club Argentino installed the new totem outside its headquarters at 1850 Avenida del Libertador. It retains the shape of a service-station attendant pointing toward the entrance, along with the club’s metal gear emblem. But it drops the classic illustrated map that showed the organization’s assistance network and stations across Argentina, and adds a contemporary design with LED lights.

ACA sources told La Nación that the original structure, designed by engineer Antonio Ubaldo Vilar, had developed cracks and posed a risk of collapse. It stood more than six meters high and weighed about six tonnes. The replacement was inaugurated during the American Congress of the International Automobile Federation.

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The totem’s symbol will endure alongside the country’s drive toward an innovative and modern future.

The old totem had been declared a National Historic Monument in 2017 under Decree 637/2017, as had the nearby central headquarters. That status means it cannot be demolished, modified or altered without the involvement of the National Commission of Monuments, Historic Places and Heritage Assets.

The commission, which operates under the national Culture Ministry, told La Nación that the ACA had not consulted it before carrying out the work. Officials said they had no record of a request to evaluate the project and warned that the lack of authorization could lead to sanctions. The ACA said it was unaware of the situation. “The totem’s symbol will endure alongside the country’s drive toward an innovative and modern future,” the club said in a message celebrating the change.

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There will have to be an evaluation of the reasons why work altering a National Historic Monument went ahead.