Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima

Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, most commonly known as Faria Lima, is one of the many important arteries within the city of São Paulo, Brazil. It is also an important commercial and financial center that rivals Centro and Avenida Paulista. It is located within the Pinheiros neighborhood.

History

Avenida Faria Lima was initially constructed in the late 1960s with the majority of the stretch lying between Rua Iguatemi and Largo da Batata (Potato Square), in the neighborhood of Pinheiros, crossing the entire neighborhood of the Jardins. Initiated in 1967 by then mayer "José Vicente Faria Lima", it would receive his name two years later after he died.

Having been built by 1970, the construction of several commercial buildings were started, tearing through the middle of the large residential area that had been there before. The large skyscrapers that started to rise above the Jardins prompted it to be called the "Second Paulista."

In the 1990s, then Mayor Paulo Maluf constructed a plan to extend the street in both directions, between Largo da Batata and Avenida Perdoso de Moraes, and between Avenida Cidade Jardim and Hélio Pellegrino (in the famous Vila Olímpia district of the city). This was done so by widening the small residential road of Itaim Bibi. The project was controversial because it would displace many citizens, and that the rapid expansion of the city would make it only a temporary resolution to the growing traffic problems.

Attractions

On Faria Lima, there are many popular and important places that attract Paulistanos and foreigners alike, such as:

* Shopping Iguatemi- The second shopping center built in the city, inaugurated in 1966. It is among the most luxurious in the country.
* Museum of Casa Brasileira.
* Pinheiros Sport Club- One of the oldest sport clubs in the city, it contains large open fields and many recreational facilities in the heart of the city
* The Dacon Building- With its cylindrical design, it is one of the most famous skyscrapers in São Paulo

* Prominent Night-Life- including numerous bars and night clubs, located on the ends of the streetInúmeros

In the extremities of the avenue, one can also find many other important visitation points of the city, such as Shopping Eldorado, and many luxurious restaurants and hotels.

References

*Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima at the Portuguese Wikipedia