Ola Uruguay Real Estate and Investments

Vinoly's terminal at Carrasco International Airport features sleek, modern lines.

Uruguay, the small country of gauchos, mates, cattle, and sheep is changing.  The soccer team is unstoppable and the real estate market is booming. With the arrival of the swanky Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco, a gate has been opened and the crowds are beginning to pour in.

Uruguay’s new airport was completed in 2009 and welcomed its first arriving flight on December 29 of that year. Since then, the elegant and modern structure has been the pride and joy of Uruguayans near and far. Its immense arched roof spans almost 400 meters and continues on beyond the main structure giving the impression it is tacked down like a enormous tent on either side. Driving down Uruguay’s main artery, National Route 101, the airport is clearly visible and one is immediately struck by the sleekness of the structure.

In constructing the building, the aim was to create many transparent features and maintain a clutter-free and open atmosphere in all the public spaces. A principle element in achieving this goal was the 8000 square meter slanted window that makes up the upper part of the building. This allows for much natural light to make its way into the all-white interior of the building, giving it a very clear and open feeling. Airport-goers can venture up to the third floor to enjoy the indoor roof terrace, which overlooks the runway. It offers a comfortable place surrounded by gardens of tropical plants from which to wave goodbye to loved ones as they depart. It also features a lovely restaurant, often used as a great place to host functions and cultural events.

The new terminal features wide spaces and gardens

Carrasco International Airport was expanded approximately 3.200 meters, which has seriously increased its capacity for intercontinental flights. Passenger volume has increased drastically. With an average 4.5 million passengers frequenting the terminal per year, the airport hosts three times the amount of passengers as the old airport. This development makes Uruguay the ideal place for the hub of South America’s free trade organization, MERCOSUR.

Who is the genius behind all this modern glamour? The answer is none other than the world renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. Uruguay’s investment of 165 million dollars in this new project, was placed carefully into the hands of one of its own.  Viñoly was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, to a film and theater director father and a mathematics teacher mother. He was raised in Argentina and graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 1968. He formed the Manteola-Petchersky-Sanchez Gomez-Santos-Solsona-Viñoly architectural firm with six associates in 1964 and led it to became one of the largest architectural practices in South America. In 1978, he and his family moved to the United States and settled permanently in New York City. There he founded his firm, Rafael Viñoly Architects PC, in 1983.

A view of the interior of Vinoly's award-winning Tokyo International Forum

One of  Viñoly’s  greatest accomplishments to date is his design for the Tokyo International Forum. This building, completed in 1996,  is considered by many people to be the most important cultural complex in Japan. His firm’s design was also one of the finalists in the competition for the new World Trade Center design. Rafeal Viñoly has worked in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East over the last 40 years. His firm has expanded to have offices in London and Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bahrain. He has been given numerous awards, including the Design Honor for the Salvadori Center, 2007, International Fellow from The Royal Institute of British Architects, 2006, Medal of Honor from American Institute of Architects, New York City Chapter, 1995. Uruguay is proud of the accomplishments of this very talented \man.

Not surprisingly, the airport is no less impressive than Rafael Viñoly himself. Besides the architectural wonders and first class services, VIP lounge showers are among the fine amenities offered. As air travel becomes more and more a part of our daily lives, Uruguay is certainly keeping up with times in style.

For more information go to the airport’s official website -  http://www.aic.com.uy