Near the end of the Avenida Paulista (No. 37, close to underground paradise), is the Casa das
Rosas ("House of Roses"), it is one of the few remaining early-20th-century buildings on the avenue,
the imposing building stands in a stark contrast with the towering skyscrapers of the Avenida Paulista.
The Casa das Rosas is a building of four storeys with an area of 2845sq.m. Its plants are divided
into ground floor, attic, basement and first floor. Its 30 rooms were built and furnished with high
quality materials, most of them imported from Europe.
The entrance is of stone and Italian marble, Belgian glass and crystals. A large colorfully
stained-glass window, signed by Carlos Sorgenicht decorate the entrance hall. The interior design
gives a distinctive appeal and a classic charm thanks to the use of glass panels, Belgian floor tiles
and Portuguese marble.
This is a French-style mansion, the garden was inspired by the Palace of Versailles, home of the
famous rose garden, the roses were planted followed a geometric pattern surrounding it.
Casa Rosas, Sao Paulo City
The house, now a cultural center, plays host to small art exhibits. All exhibitions in the Casa das
Rosas are of writers, poets, visual artists and photographers.
The house also hosts the first library in the country specializing in poetry and a book from the
Press Office of the State of SP, which sells only books by academic publishers. In the house exists
a collection of books of the family of architect Ramos de Azevedo, the family has also donated the
poet's office to the Culture Secretary.
The library features rare books like the first books editions with Octavio Paz and João Cabral de
Melo Neto autography. Admission is free from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am-6pm.
History
Casa das Rosas was the last building designed in 1935 by the famous architect Ramos de Azevedo for
one of his beloved daughters, he was also responsible for the Municipal Theatre, Pinacoteca and the
Shopping Light, although building began only seven years after his death.
Casa Rosas, Sao Paulo City
The building was home to the family until 1986. After that, it was made an official municipal
landmark. Later, it was opened as a cultural center.
The cultural area known as the Casa das Rosas gets its name from dominant flower in the great gardens
of the property. The Art Gallery, opened in 1991, displays some 300 works of prints, pictures and
sculpture. The collection covers works of artists like Oscar Pereira da Silva, Di Cavalcanti and
Portinari as well as works by contemporary artists like Arcângelo Ianelli.
In December of 2004, it came to be known as the Casa das Rosas Haroldo de Campos Poetry and Literature
Cultural Space. The collections of the 35 thousand library volumes of the poet, translator and essayist
Haroldo de Campos are now open to the public.