The religion followed by Hollywood actors such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta bought an emblematic Buenos Aires building

Nestled in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires, the Societá Unione Operai Italiani (SUOI), once considered the most prominent building built by Italian immigrants in Argentina, He underwent a devastating transformation that placed him on the brink of collapse..

This monument, which was once an impressive Art Nouveau jewel with a facade made by the architect Virginio Colombowith a current area of ​​2,282 square meters, faced for years a gloomy panorama marked by complete negligence in maintenance.

In a surprising twist, The property is now in the hands of the Church of Scientology) from Argentinawhich is immersed in an active rescue process to restore its former glory.

Located at 1374 Sarmiento Street, less than four blocks from the Barolo Palace, the building commemorated its 150th anniversary earlier this year, marking a legacy that dates back to its inauguration in 1874 as the inaugural headquarters of the Sociedad Unione Operai Italiani. This entity, the third Italian society established in Argentina after Unione e Benevolenza in 1858 and the Nazionale Italiana in 1861, stood out as the pioneer in founding free schools in Italian for girls shortly after its establishment. Over the years, the building witnessed the presence of prominent figures such as Julio A. Roca and Juan Domingo Perón in one of the most prominent sectors of the headquarters: the Augusteo Hallor main hall.

Even though it is in a state of abandonment, This space leaves those who visit it breathless, with a past splendor palpable in the elements that still last. Its meticulously painted ceiling evokes the grandeur of emblematic places such as the Teatro Colón or the El Ateneo bookstore and is complemented by two statues of the torsos of a man and a woman holding the columns that frame the stagewhere the chords of concerts once resonated.

On its walls you can see vestiges of what were once large mirrors, while the openings in the ceiling suggest that the living room once housed impressive crystal chandeliers. All its ornamentations bear witness to the rich integration of overseas Italian culture, which used the Augusteo Hall not only to hold banquets and raffles, but also for vibrant political rallies.