Facade of the Galeria Sul América in the 1930s. Photo by Mário Grisolli In. Galeria - Acervo Sul América
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a building with the inscription "SUL AMERICA" at the top. The spatial layout begins on the left, where we see the start of the building, moving through the center, where the main entrance is located with two large doors and side columns, and ending on the right, where there is a large window above the entrance. At the top of the building, there is an inscription that reads "COMPANHIA NACIONAL DE SEGUROS DE VIDA". On the right, there is a tower with a clock. People are entering and exiting through the main entrance.Built in 1925 to house the headquarters of Companhia Nacional de Seguros de Vida Sul América, the Edifício Galeria is located on Rua da Quitanda and occupies one of the most prestigious blocks in downtown Rio. It was designed by two famous architects, the Frenchman Joseph Gire and Robert Prentice. Besides its architectural beauty, the duo placed great importance on an ultra-modern security system for its time.
Company Safes - Photo by Mário Grisolli In. Gallery - Sul América Collection
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph showing two men in front of a wall filled with metal drawers. On the left is a man wearing a white suit, while to his right is another man in military uniform. Both are interacting with the drawers, apparently looking for something inside them. The drawers are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, covering the entire wall.Gire was a highly active and important professional in Rio in the early 20th century, having been responsible for numerous buildings and residences that became landmarks of the city's urban landscape, among them the Hotel Glória, the Edifício A Noite, the Copacabana Palace Hotel, and the Palácio Laranjeiras.
The complex, which today occupies the entire block, was built in several phases and resulted from the merging of 27 lots on the block. The second phase was opened in 1931, and the fifth and last one in 1953. In 2009, the building was purchased by an American company and was renovated to house a complex of offices, shops, and restaurants. Its architecture and historical features were preserved, such as the clock that adorns the façade and the artworks by sculptor Leão Veloso. The door of the old vault can be seen on the ground floor of the building.
Current decoration of the building with the door of the old vault (2020) - Claudio Viveiros Collection
Image description: The image shows a metal vault door with a sturdy, secure design. The door is closed and has a complex locking mechanism, including a large central dial with a golden star pattern. To the left, there is a small opening button and a pair of horizontally positioned security bars. The background of the image features a wall of light-colored tiles and a glass balustrade, while the floor is black and white marble.
