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Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires shows signs of decay with abandoned buildings and closed shops
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

Avenida de Mayo in Buenos Aires shows signs of decay with abandoned buildings and closed shops

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Buenos Aires's Avenida de Mayo, once a vibrant thoroughfare, now shows significant signs of urban decay in a four-block stretch between 9 de Julio and Luis Sáenz Peña.
  • Numerous buildings and commercial spaces in this section are abandoned, boarded up, or closed, creating a desolate atmosphere contrasted with the avenue's more frequented areas near Casa Rosada.
  • Local businesses and residents express concern, with about 50% of commercial spaces reportedly vacant, prompting proposals like street performances to revitalize foot traffic and the area's appeal.

Buenos Aires's iconic Avenida de Mayo is presenting a starkly different image in a specific four-block section, revealing a troubling landscape of urban decay. Once a dazzling avenue known for its impressive architecture and bustling atmosphere, the stretch between 9 de Julio and Luis Sáenz Peña now features numerous abandoned, boarded-up, and closed buildings and businesses.

It is a pity how this part of the avenue looks.

— Laura ParcoA young woman commenting on the visible deterioration of Avenida de Mayo.

Residents like Laura Parco note the "sadness" of the area's current state. The former Hotel Castelar, a classic establishment with strong ties to the Spanish community, has been closed since May 2020 due to the pandemic. Nearby, another accommodation building also stands empty. The scene is further marred by overflowing trash bins, abandoned newspaper kiosks, dilapidated lampposts, and faded benches, creating a desolate contrast to the livelier parts of the avenue closer to Casa Rosada.

Germán Canelo, from the Association Amigos de la Avenida de Mayo, described the situation as "critical," with merchants expressing deep concern. According to the association's survey, approximately 50% of the commercial spaces along these four blocks are vacant. Factors contributing to this decline include low consumption and the frequent street demonstrations that disrupt the area.

The situation is critical. The merchants are worried.

— Germán CaneloMember of the Association Amigos de la Avenida de Mayo, describing the state of commercial spaces on the avenue.

Amidst the decay, the Teatro Avenida stands out with its ongoing functions. However, even this cultural hub is overshadowed by adjacent abandoned buildings, including a former site of the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (Incaa) and the Casa de Mar del Plata, now reportedly used as a garbage dump. A once-popular cafeteria, La Victoria, also remains closed. In response, the Association Amigos de la Avenida de Mayo has proposed initiatives like weekend street performances to draw people back to the area, aiming to transform it into a vibrant space similar to Avenida Corrientes when it becomes pedestrianized.

We want it to become something similar to Avenida Corrientes when it is pedestrianized.

— Germán CaneloMember of the Association Amigos de la Avenida de Mayo, proposing street performances to revitalize the avenue.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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