Confitería del Molino Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Confitería del Molino
View from the Congressional Plaza
Alternative names	El Molino
General information
Architectural style	Art Nouveau
Address	Av. Rivadavia 1815
Town or city	Buenos Aires
Country	Argentina
Coordinates	34°36′32″S 58°23′32″W / 34.60889°S 58.39222°W / -34.60889; -58.39222
Construction started	1912 (1912)
Inaugurated	1916
Owner	Argentine National Congress
Technical details
Floor count	6
Floor area	5,450 m² (58,700 sq ft)
Design and construction
Architect	Francesco Gianotti
Main contractor	GEOPÉ

National Historic Monument of Argentina

The Confitería del Molino (which means "The Mill" in Spanish) is a famous old coffeehouse in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It has a special Art Nouveau style of architecture. You can find it right across from the National Congress building and the Congressional Plaza. It sits at the corner of Callao and Rivadavia avenues in the neighborhood of Balvanera.

The Confitería del Molino first opened its doors on July 9, 1916. It closed in 1997. In that same year, the Argentine Congress declared it a National Historic Monument. After closing, the building became quite run down. In 2014, a new law was passed to take over the coffeehouse and make sure it was restored. Work to fix it up began in 2016 and is still happening today.

History of El Molino
Famous Visitors
In Popular Culture
Views
See also

History of El Molino

A well-known baker named Cayetano Brenna wanted a special building for his café. In 1915, he asked Italian architect Francisco Gianotti to design it. The café opened on July 9, 1916. When the building was finished in 1917, it was one of the tallest in Buenos Aires. It had a corner tower that reached 65 metres (213 ft) high.

Under construction in 1915

The tower was lit up from the inside with electric lights. It also featured beautiful stained glass windows and decorative windmill sails. El Molino and another building called Galería Güemes are two of Gianotti's most important works. They are great examples of the Art Nouveau style in Buenos Aires.

Cayetano Brenna passed away in 1938. Renato Varesse then took over the business until 1950. After that, Antonio Armentano managed it, selling the business in 1978. The new owners faced financial problems, and the coffeehouse went bankrupt. Later, Brenna's grandchildren bought it back. They made many improvements to update it.

Over the years, El Molino became a popular spot for many important people. Artists, business leaders, and politicians often met there. The café closed on February 23, 1997. Since then, its owners did not take care of it, and the building slowly fell apart. It became clear that a lot of work was needed to save it.

The Confitería del Molino was named a National Historic Monument in 1997. On November 12, 2014, Congress agreed to buy it for the Argentine Government. Everyone in Congress voted yes. The plans include fixing up the building and reopening the famous café. There will also be a museum about life in Buenos Aires in the early 1900s. The building will officially be an extra part of the Argentine Congress. It will be used for many things and managed by a special group from Congress. However, the coffee shop itself will be run by a private company.

Famous Visitors

Many famous people visited Confitería del Molino over the years. It was a favorite meeting place for important figures in culture, business, and politics.

In Popular Culture

The Confitería del Molino has appeared in movies and music videos:

In 1996, the American singer Madonna filmed the music video for her song Love Don't Live Here Anymore in the main hall of the coffeehouse.
The 1996 movie Autumn Sun also had scenes filmed at this location.