In 1549, Luiz Dias erected a walled citadel on the shores of the All Saints’ Bay, giving rise to Brazil’s first “planned” city. Inspired by models of medieval cities in Western Europe, like Lisbon, the project conceived by Miguel Arruda brought to life Rua Chile, marking the beginning of an important urban thoroughfare in Salvador.
Originally named Rua Direita dos Mercadores (Merchants’ Straight Street), it reflected its function as a mandatory passage for those seeking access to the city’s streets. Over time, the area gained commercial prominence, becoming the preferred address of the Bahian elite during the 20th century. Its shops, cafes, restaurants, and splendid hotels turned it into an open-air market.
Among the most iconic examples of Art Deco architecture in Salvador, there stood the Palace Hotel, whose emblematic copper dome had been capturing attention since its construction in 1934. Throughout the years, the hotel hosted numerous celebrities, including Carmen Miranda, Grande Otelo, Pablo Neruda, Orson Welles, and several presidents.
However, from the 1940s, with the development of new areas in Salvador, Rua Chile lost its commercial appeal, plunging into a period of decline. This not only affected the hotel but also various other commercial establishments.
Nevertheless, in 2015, a new perspective emerged for the hotel. Our challenge, when taking on this project, was to explore the history of Bahia, considering its unique cultural, musical, architectural, and artistic traditions. By completely restoring the 84-suite building, we brought back the original windows and added a new rooftop pool. The old foundations were replaced, and new technical facilities were incorporated into the structure.
Beyond merely restoring and creating, the project aimed to integrate a new chapter into Salvador’s cultural history while preserving the city’s architectural and social identity. Spaces were opened to the community, turning the Fera Palace Hotel into a meeting point and a destination on Rua Chile once again.
10 Aug
Fera Palace Hotel hosts many stories, and our mission was to build them.
In 1549, Luiz Dias erected a walled citadel on the shores of the All Saints’ Bay, giving rise to Brazil’s first “planned” city. Inspired by models of medieval cities in Western Europe, like Lisbon, the project conceived by Miguel Arruda brought to life Rua Chile, marking the beginning of an important urban thoroughfare in Salvador.
Originally named Rua Direita dos Mercadores (Merchants’ Straight Street), it reflected its function as a mandatory passage for those seeking access to the city’s streets. Over time, the area gained commercial prominence, becoming the preferred address of the Bahian elite during the 20th century. Its shops, cafes, restaurants, and splendid hotels turned it into an open-air market.
Among the most iconic examples of Art Deco architecture in Salvador, there stood the Palace Hotel, whose emblematic copper dome had been capturing attention since its construction in 1934. Throughout the years, the hotel hosted numerous celebrities, including Carmen Miranda, Grande Otelo, Pablo Neruda, Orson Welles, and several presidents.
However, from the 1940s, with the development of new areas in Salvador, Rua Chile lost its commercial appeal, plunging into a period of decline. This not only affected the hotel but also various other commercial establishments.
Nevertheless, in 2015, a new perspective emerged for the hotel. Our challenge, when taking on this project, was to explore the history of Bahia, considering its unique cultural, musical, architectural, and artistic traditions. By completely restoring the 84-suite building, we brought back the original windows and added a new rooftop pool. The old foundations were replaced, and new technical facilities were incorporated into the structure.
Beyond merely restoring and creating, the project aimed to integrate a new chapter into Salvador’s cultural history while preserving the city’s architectural and social identity. Spaces were opened to the community, turning the Fera Palace Hotel into a meeting point and a destination on Rua Chile once again.