Central do Brasil

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Restoration of an iconic 1945 Art Deco train station along with the addition of two levels of retail built above the existing railway tracks with a rooftop park and lifestyle area.

SCOPE

Designcorp International led the comprehensive restoration design and adaptive reuse of the historically significant Central do Brasil station in Rio de Janeiro. The project entailed preserving the 1945 Art Deco building while designing and integrating two levels of new retail over the existing tracks. Additional programming included creating a dynamic rooftop park and lifestyle terrace to activate public engagement with the site.

SOLUTIONS

The refurbishment design retained and highlighted the station’s Art Deco heritage while carefully inserting contemporary retail structures atop the live railway environment. Innovative engineering allowed seamless construction above active tracks without disrupting rail services. The added rooftop park and lifestyle zone bring vibrant public space and community amenities, breathing new life into a historic transport hub.