CassinodaUrca

Image description: This is an old photograph of a casino located in Urca, Rio de Janeiro. The image shows a panoramic view with sea water in the foreground, seaside buildings in the center, and a rocky hill in the background. On the left, there is a building with a light-colored façade and evenly spaced windows. In the center, a large building with a prominent central structure. On the right, there is a complex of tall buildings with many windows. In the background, the rocky hill is visible, covered with vegetation. The text in the image reads "CASSINO DA URCA" and "FOTO-POSTAL COLOMBO".

Despite the name, the historic building on the shores of Urca beach, in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Rio, is less remembered for its gambling than for the countless curiosities of its history. It was originally opened as a hotel — the “Balneário” — for the celebrations of Brazil's Independence centennial. Its extremely luxurious rooms housed famous figures seeking the peace of that still-bucolic spot.

Image description: This is an old photograph of a casino located in Urca, Rio de Janeiro. The image shows a rounded structure with several windows and a water tower beside it. On the right, there is a beach with clear water and a small boat in the distance. In the background, there is a rocky mountain and another geological formation.

In the early 1930s, it gave in to the hotel-casino trend and was bought by the businessman Joaquim Rolla, an influential figure in political circles. The venture's early days as a casino were not very prosperous, but the space eventually established itself through investment in the musical sphere. Stars such as Carmen Miranda, Emilinha Borba, Virgínia Lane and Dalva de Oliveira performed on its stage, for an audience made up of Rio's high society. Joaquim Rolla even created a ferry line from Niterói to Urca, attracting even more customers.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a casino. The image shows a large room crowded with people dancing and talking. On the left side, there is a raised platform with a stage where a man is performing. On the right, there is a staircase leading to an upper level, where more people are sitting at tables. In the background, there are heavy curtains and dramatic lighting.

With the prohibition of gambling in Brazil in 1946, it was closed and remained inactive until 1953, when Assis Chateaubriand began work to install TV Tupi's Rio headquarters there. The broadcaster occupied the building until 1980, when its transmissions ended. Closed until 2006, the building is now home to the Istituto Europeo di Design.

Image description: This is an aerial photograph of a residential neighborhood. On the left, we see several colorful houses with red and blue roofs. In the center, there is a vacant lot surrounded by trees. On the right, we find tall buildings with white facades and black roofs. In the center of the image, there is a building with a gray roof and light-colored windows. At the bottom, we see a sandy beach with some people walking.