Condomínio Penthouse
Apartment in São Paulo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Condomínio Penthouse is a residential high-rise building located in the Vila Andrade neighborhood of São Paulo, Brazil. Inaugurated in 1979 by the Lindenberg construction company[1][2], the building is known for its luxurious apartments with spiral private pools on the balconies. It stands out for its stark contrast with the nearby Paraisópolis community, making it a notable symbol of social issues in Brazil.[3][4]
| Condomínio Edifício Penthouse | |
|---|---|
Penthouse Building and Paraisópolis in 2004 | |
 Interactive map of the Condomínio Edifício Penthouse area | |
| General information | |
| Status | Completed |
| Type | Residential |
| Location | Avenida Giovanni Gronchi, 3891, Vila Andrade, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Coordinates | 23°36′51″S 46°43′51″W |
| Completed | 1979 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 13 |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer | Construtora Lindenberg |
History
The Condomínio Penthouse was designed as a high-end residential development, with 13 units — one apartment per floor and a two-story penthouse. Each unit has approximately 355 m² (3,820 sq ft), featuring large balconies with private swimming pools, which was an architectural innovation at the time. Its spiral-shaped structure make all units like a penthouse apartment.[5]
The building is located next to Paraisópolis, one of São Paulo’s largest favelas. Photos of the apartment and its surroundings, including one taken by pt:Tuca Vieira in 2012 for the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo are continually reproduced in books, magazines and educational material as a symbol of inequality. Vieiria's picture was on the posters, invitations, leaflets, and postcards of the exhibition Global Cities, in 2007 at the Tate Modern.[6][7][8]
The Penthouse Building has faced poor condominium management, resident debt, and unpaid property taxes (IPTU).[9][10] Some units were eventually auctioned off below market value.[11]
In Popular Culture
The building was an exterior filming location for the Brazilian soap opera A Próxima Vítima, broadcast by TV Globo in 1995. In the show, the character Helena, played by Natália do Vale, lived in the Penthouse.[12] The building appeared in the opening scene of the 2025 remake of Vale Tudo.[13]
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