It Worked In Bilbao. Will It Succeed In Rio?

Rio de Janeiro signed a contract last week to build a Guggenheim museum. But the urban revival plan is assailed.

1 minute read

May 5, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The Guggenheim, the renowned New York museum whose expansion into Spain turned the city of Bilbao into an international tourist destination and a paradigm for innovative new architecture, wants to build a new outpost in Rio... The Guggenheim, along with Rio Mayor Cesar Maia, wants to build a spectacular new museum on a derelict area by Rio's once bustling, and now run-down, port area. Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, the Guggenheim Rio would include galleries, restaurants, shops, and even a tropical garden. Much of the museum would be built under water."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, May 5, 2003 in The Christian Science Monitor

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