aventuro
Teatro General San Martin
Very popular Intellectual, urban, and artistically vibrant.
Photo: En.planicie (photo)Mario Roberto Álvarez (1913–2011) (building), CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Beatrice Murch, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Beatrice Murch, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Carlos Zito, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Leandro Kibisz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Leandro Kibisz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Teatro General San Martin, C1042AAO, Av. Corrientes 1530, C1042 AAO, Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photos
Interesting facts
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The complex was built on the site of the former Mercado del Plata.
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It is one of the few theater buildings in the world designed specifically to include public exhibition galleries for visual arts.
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The facade features a famous 30-meter high glass window that provides a visual connection between the street and the building's lobby.
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The Sala Martín Coronado is one of the largest and most technically advanced stages in the city.
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It was declared a National Historic Monument of Argentina in 2017.
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The building was designed to be 'an open house' for culture, incorporating a design that allows the public to walk through parts of the lobby as a transition space.
Overview
Teatro General San Martín is the flagship venue of the Complejo Teatral de Buenos Aires, located on the historic Avenida Corrientes. The building is a prominent example of brutalist architecture, designed by architects Mario Roberto Álvarez and Macedonio Ruiz. Opened in 1960, it occupies a substantial city block and functions as a multi-disciplinary cultural complex. It houses three main performance halls: Sala Martín Coronado, Sala Casacuberta, and Sala Cunill Cabanellas. The complex also features extensive exhibition spaces, a cinema, and a library specializing in the performing arts. It serves as a base for the Ballet Contemporáneo del Teatro San Martín and the Grupo de Titiriteros. The architecture emphasizes raw concrete, vast glass windows, and an integration with the public street level. It functions as a public institution under the governance of the Buenos Aires Ministry of Culture.
Photo spot
From the opposite side of Avenida Corrientes for a full view of the brutalist facade, or inside the main hall capturing the dramatic contrast of the concrete walls and red seating.
Insider tips
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Check the exhibition gallery schedule, as these are often free to the public even without a performance ticket.
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The theater hosts free guided tours; inquire at the information desk to learn about the history and architectural details.
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Arrive early to appreciate the brutalist interior design, which is often considered as significant as the performances themselves.
What to avoid
Do not mistake the street-level gallery exhibits for the ticketed theater performances; they are separate experiences.
Good to know
The theater typically hosts shorter programming or maintenance periods during the mid-summer months of January.
Etiquette
Smart casual attire is standard for evening performances; silence is expected in the theaters.
Plan your visit
- Performance Venues
- 3 primary stages
- Key Residents
- Ballet Contemporáneo and Grupo de Titiriteros
Frequently asked
How long should I spend at Teatro General San Martin?
Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.
When is the best time to visit?
The best time to visit is Early evening, to experience both the architectural lighting and the vibrant pre-show energy of Avenida Corrientes..
What's the best photo spot?
From the opposite side of Avenida Corrientes for a full view of the brutalist facade, or inside the main hall capturing the dramatic contrast of the concrete walls and red seating.
What else is nearby?
Close by you'll find Obelisk, Paseo La Plaza, Plaza de Mayo.
