“Cambio means “change” and Calle Florida HAS changed!”

Reviewed July 20, 2014

For several years I avoided Florida Street when it was crowded with street vendors sitting in the middle of the pedestrian mall selling cheap things and crafts. And of course, the endless chant of “Cambio Cambio” from those offering to exchange your dollars and euros for pesos. But Cambio means “change” and in just one year, this street has changed SO much and SO much for the better! The city has removed the street sellers, re paved all the sidewalks (now smooth,wide and clean) and added green plants down the center of this very long and especially historic street. Now you can appreciate the “Calle Florida” of the “Golden Age” of Buenos Aires (1880-1940) when this was developed as the main shopping are of the city, with elegant stores from Europe setting up shop to provide high quality merchandise . This street boasts much of the best architecture I have seen anywhere in the world. Absolutely gorgeous buildings from the Beaux Arts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco period. Now that you no longer have to look “down” so as not to step on street sellers on blankets or “look out” for crowds, you can truly” look UP” and appreciate the buildings on the street. Galeria Pacifico is stunning outside and full of smart shops inside. Florida is where you will find the Club Naval with its amazing brass doors, the breathtaking interior of Galeria Guemes, the lovely exterior of Falabella, and hundreds of lovely buildings all the way down to the stately Plaza Hotel, ending up at the serene and beautiful Plaza San Martin park. Its a major transformation,so much so that you may want to re-think your impression if you have visited in the past…and you may want to take it into consideration when reading “older” reviews. I encourage you to go have another look at Florida. You will be pleasantly surprised!

Laurie Gordon, San Francisco