Residence Maguire

The Hume Residence under construction (ca. 1891) The current Residence Maguire, formerly Hume, formerly Duhau

The Residencia Maguire is an old mansion located on Avenida Alvear 1693, in the city of Buenos Aires. It is one of the few survivors of a corridor of aristocratic palaces that were demolished in its majority from 1930. History From 1880, with the consolidation of the Argentine State and the adoption of the agro-export model as the basis of the national economy, the local upper class was enriched in an extraordinary way, and modified their tastes and influences according to European customs, and especially the French. Thus Bella Vista Street (called Alvear after 1885), where the families of the aristocracy of Buenos Aires until then had their fifth suburban, suffered an explosive transformation with which they were replaced by luxurious mansions of unprecedented luxury, over the next few decades.

In this context the engineer Alejandro Hume, successful entrepreneur railroad, commissioned in 1890 the design of his residence in the Alvear Avenue to the architect Carlos Ryder. It was a late-Victorian mansion, built with materials imported from Scotland.

In November 1893, one of the first art shows in Buenos Aires was held there, at a charity event to benefit the Círculo de Santa Cecilia. Selected by Eduardo Schiaffino, 125 oils, 68 furniture and 367 objects (upholstery, bronzes, ivories) from various private collections were exhibited, including Andrés Lamas and Aristóbulo del Valle.

In 1913, the landscaper Carlos Thays designed the private gardens of the residence, which occupy the grounds to the street Posadas. In the 1920s, Hume Palace was sold to the brothers Alberto, Maria Faustina and Maria Candelaria Duhau, which is why it is also known as Palacio Duhau, lending confusion to another residence of the same name, which belonged to Luis Duhau.

Then, she lived in this mansion Susana Duhau, married to John Walter Maguire, and today her daughter continues to live there, being the only aristocratic residence in Alvear Avenue that still maintains its function, since the few that follow were transformed into hotels, or are owned by the State.

In 2002, Decree 1495 declared the National Historic Monument to the Maguire Residence, along with other notable residences of Alvear Avenue, such as the Palacio Duhau and Palacio Fernández Anchorena. Sources

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