A more colorful side of SP: the experience of staying at Germaine Burchard

“Concrete jungle,” “land of drizzle,” “stone city.” São Paulo has earned many nicknames throughout its history, and, let's face it, some of them capture the metropolis's uniquely urban atmosphere quite well. But every now and then, buildings emerge that break away from this grayer, harder, more concrete imagery. The Germaine Burchard, also known as Marian, is one of them.

With its pink façade, curved lines, and details reminiscent of Art Deco, the building stands out in São Paulo's Historic Center. Designed by architect Enrico Brand at the request of Countess Germaine Burchard, construction began in 1938 and was completed in 1942. At the time, it even received the award for “Most Beautiful Building” for the 1941–1942 biennium.

But perhaps the most curious story is another one: the Germaine Burchard was conceived to operate as a flat, an uncommon concept in the city at that time. Decades later, the building came to house hotels — including the Alvear and, later, the Marian Palace. In the 2000s, its former suites were transformed into residential apartments, preserving much of the character that makes it such a singular construction.

Edifício Germaine Burchard. (Airbnb/Divulgação)

Located on Avenida Cásper Líbero, the building is in a prime area for anyone who wants to explore the Center on foot. Next to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Conception of Santa Ifigênia, known for its beautiful stained-glass windows, and just a few minutes from some of the region's main landmarks, it feels almost like a small, colorful pause amid the urban landscape.

It's impressive how São Paulo manages to hold different versions of itself just a few streets apart. You turn a corner, look the other way, and suddenly it feels like you're in another city.

Edifício Germaine Burchard. (Airbnb/Divulgação)

At the Germaine, there's a certain subtlety. I can't quite explain where it comes from. Perhaps it lies in the bright stairways, the plant-filled balcony, the preserved details, the mosaic tile flooring that brings an emotional memory. Perhaps it lies simply in the contrast between the building's delicacy and the intensity of the Center.

But something happens there. It's a building that welcomes you.

A day at the Germaine Burchard

I stayed in apartment 121, on the 12th floor, in an accommodation by Vossa Bossa Stay. And it was a great choice for several reasons.

Edifício Germaine Burchard. (Airbnb/Divulgação)

The first one becomes apparent as soon as you enter the apartment: the light.

(Divulgação/Vossa Bossa Stay/Divulgação)

Instead of a traditional balcony, the living room was expanded, keeping the large windows that greatly favor the flow of natural light. And, of course, there's also the view. Being high up in a historic building and looking down at the Center completely changes your relationship with the city.

Whenever I do these itineraries, I like to eat my meals out. It's an opportunity to discover new places and, on top of that, bring back tips from the surroundings. But this time was different.

(Divulgação/Vossa Bossa Stay/Divulgação)

The kitchen was so inviting that I simply couldn't bring myself to go out to eat.

(Divulgação/Vossa Bossa Stay/Divulgação)

I'm passionate about the idea of cooking when I'm traveling. There's something really nice about buying ingredients, going back to the apartment and preparing a meal while you watch a city that isn't yours through the window.

So this time, my tip is exactly that: if you also enjoy venturing into the kitchen, take advantage of the apartment as part of the experience.

(Divulgação/Vossa Bossa Stay/Divulgação)

But if cooking isn't exactly your thing, that's fine too — downtown is right there. The ground floor of the building itself has practical options, and walking a bit further you'll find a huge number of places to eat, drink, listen to music and simply watch São Paulo life unfold.

One option worth adding to your itinerary is Balsa, on Rua Capitão Salomão. The space defines itself more as a “meeting house” than a traditional bar and features vintage decor, a cultural program and a rooftop overlooking Vale do Anhangabaú.

A bit bossa nova, and rock'n'roll

Downtown São Paulo is a celebration of São Paulo bohemia. It's a region crossed by stories, architectural styles and characters that keep showing up in the landscape even after decades.

(Divulgação/Vossa Bossa Stay/Divulgação)

The Germaine Burchard is one of those characters. Almost a hundred years old, the building carries different moments of the city: it was born as a modern hospitality proposal, went through the era of the great hotels and today has returned to being residential. The retrofit carried out later preserved much of its original elements, allowing the building to remain inhabited without losing its essence.

(Divulgação/Vossa Bossa Stay/Divulgação)

And maybe that's exactly what I find most enchanting.

Because São Paulo is always changing. Buildings are renovated, facades disappear, new uses emerge. But some constructions manage to go through these transformations without ceasing to tell who they were.

I tried to think of a good line to close this experience and I remembered Cazuza, in Faz Parte do Meu Show. I know very well that the song wasn't written for São Paulo, but somehow it matches the city.

Germaine Burchard (Divulgação/Divulgação)

São Paulo is full of spectacles. In the best and worst sense of the word.

And being at the Germaine Burchard is experiencing exactly one of those contradictions: a delicate building in the middle of the concrete jungle; a bit of bossa in a city that also knows how to be rock'n'roll.

And the best part is that you don't even have to choose between the two. Just a few steps away, visit Galeria do Rock or Bar Brahma. Make your choice.

Or, better yet: celebrate both.