Gardel was here
The owner, Max Glücksmann, set up a recording studio in the building, where Carlos Gardel recorded from 1920. In 1929 Gardel made his radio singing debut on Radio Splendid, which broadcast from the first floor.
Urban Tales › Buenos Aires › El Ateneo Grand Splendid
El Ateneo Grand Splendid: a theatre full of books
Opened in 1919 as a theatre, later a cinema and since 2000 a bookshop, El Ateneo Grand Splendid keeps its boxes, stage and painted ceiling. It's regularly named one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world.
OpenedMay 1919
Theatre1919–1982
Cinema1982–1999
Bookshop since2000
Hear the El Ateneo Grand Splendid story, in the app's voice
A short preview. The full story plays on its own when you walk up to it with Urban Tales.
Three stories most visitors miss
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From stage to shelves
After decades as a theatre and then a cinema, it was turned into a bookshop in 2000. The stage became a café and the boxes became reading corners.
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Look up
The painted ceiling, the gilded boxes and the stage are the original theatre's. The Guardian ranked it the world's second most beautiful bookshop in 2008.
TipTake the stairs to the top boxes for the classic photo of the whole hall, and have a coffee on the old stage. With Urban Tales running, its story plays as you arrive on Avenida Santa Fe.
Nearby landmarks
El Ateneo Grand Splendid: common questions
Why is El Ateneo Grand Splendid famous?
It's a 1919 theatre turned bookshop that kept its boxes, stage and painted ceiling, and it's often named one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world.
When did El Ateneo become a bookshop?
In 2000, after working as a theatre from 1919 to 1982 and as a cinema until 1999.
Can you have coffee on the stage?
Yes, the old stage is now a café.