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[title]Monday morning. Ricardo Plorutti (47) walks briskly through one of the corridors of Galerías Pacífico, Art & Shopping Mall. He arranged to meet a client there at 10:30 for a coffee, as he often does when he feels like stepping out of the office for a change of pace. “If I want to chat with someone outside the office, I choose to come here for a coffee. And if I need to buy something, whether clothes for myself or a gift, I also come to Galerías Pacífico,” says Ricardo, who lives on Santa Fe and Esmeralda and works just a few blocks from this Buenos Aires shopping center, located in a historic building that in 1989 was declared a National Historic Monument.
With its main entrance on Florida Street, Galerías Pacífico welcomes thousands of visitors every day. Tourists and locals alike stroll its halls, though more and more porteños are coming here as tourists in their own city. Beyond its shopping and dining options—recently renewed with the addition of new gourmet spots and luxury brands—Galerías Pacífico hides a treasure beneath its central dome: five murals covering 450 square meters, an unrepeatable masterpiece painted by Argentine artists Antonio Berni, Juan Carlos Castagnino, Lino Spilimbergo, Demetrio Urruchúa, and Spanish painter Manuel Colmeiro.
"Beneath the central dome lie five murals created by Berni, Castagnino, Spilimbergo, Urruchúa, and Colmeiro"
Every day, thousands of people pause to admire the paintings adorning the dome. And although the frescoes have been there for 80 years, many—especially locals—are unaware of their story. Like Ricardo Plorutti, who, upon learning some key facts for the first time, stopped in his tracks and could not hide his amazement. “I can’t believe it. I love this mall, the building is incredible, and I often visit the Borges Cultural Center for exhibitions throughout the year. Honestly, I had no idea about the murals’ history, nor had I ever read about them,” he admits to Time Out.
How long did it take the artists to complete the murals at Galerías Pacífico?
According to tour guides who include the murals in their routes, one of the most frequent questions visitors ask when seeing the scale of the work is exactly that. The ensemble includes panels, pendentives—the four curved triangular sections between the dome arches—and lunettes. The work was carried out in 1946 during the building’s renovation, when it was still used by the Buenos Aires al Pacífico Railway, which gave the mall its name. “So, how long did it take them to finish?” Plorutti insisted.
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Research shows that the painters initially agreed to complete the commission in just a couple of months, but the challenge of height, working in unison, and sketching with charcoal on scaffolding before painting nearly 500 square meters extended the project to about a year.
Since then, the murals have been restored three times:
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In 1968, under the direction of Berni himself.
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In 1991, by an Argentine-Mexican team that undertook a major “rescue and repair operation,” following exhaustive historical research to preserve original colors and materials.
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In 2012, when the Ministry of Planning commissioned the work to the Centro Tarea team at the National University of San Martín’s School of Art and Heritage.
In recent years, artist Ariel Godoy has also contributed new contemporary works that engage with this legacy, refreshing the visual experience of the space.
Fashion brands at Galerías Pacífico
With art and culture as its guardians, Galerías Pacífico is much more than a mall. It’s an experience blending history, art, gastronomy, and lifestyle. The latest renovation brought new brands, including Nike, which opened a 1,400 m² store at the corner of Florida and Córdoba, and Victoria’s Secret, which chose Galerías Pacífico for its second store in the country. The dining scene also evolved, with the elegant Madison Café beneath the dome, the charming Maison Dorée with its famous macarons, and Amaretti Restó—part of the new La Place gourmet area on the first floor with Parisian flair.
"Victoria’s Secret chose Galerías Pacífico for its second store in Argentina"
La Place, the new gourmet space
Galerías Pacífico is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Seeking a different experience in the city center, psychologist Verónica Cossi took two visiting friends from Costa Rica for lunch there. Cossi is a self-declared fan: for her, Galerías Pacífico is not just another Buenos Aires shopping mall—it is the mall.
The food scene is one of its strongest points. Madison Café is a must, offering the unique experience of sipping coffee beneath the dome with the sound of the fountain in the background. The new La Place on the first floor has also become a popular after-work spot, with live music and happy hour at Amaretti Restó on Thursdays and Fridays. Another highlight is Maison Dorée, with its famous macarons, and the unbeatable handcrafted ice creams of Lucciano’s. For office workers nearby, shoppers taking a break, or anyone in the area, the food court also provides plenty of options for all tastes.
Useful info about Galerías Pacífico
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Where is it? At the corner of Florida Street and Córdoba Avenue, downtown Buenos Aires. You can reach it by walking along Florida pedestrian street, taking the subway (lines B or C, Florida station), or by several bus lines that stop nearby.
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What perks does it offer? Locals can apply for the exclusive Galerías Card, which offers special discounts, promotions, and a catalog of rewards ranging from fragrances to stays at the Llao Llao Hotel in Bariloche.
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Did you know? Galerías Pacífico houses the Borges Cultural Center, with free admission and exhibitions year-round, open Wednesday to Sunday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.