Plinio Botelho do Amaral designed the building, also listed as its structural engineer, for Banespa, the Bank of the State of São Paulo. Construction began in September 1939, with the infobox giving September 13 and the text September 19. It was inaugurated on June 27, 1947. The style is Art Deco, and the article names the Empire State Building and Frank Lloyd Wright as inspirations.
The building is 529 feet (161.22 m) high, with 35 floors, 14 elevators and 193,220 square feet (17,951 m²) of floor area. An observation deck is reached from the 33rd floor by two sets of stairs, with views of up to 25 miles (40 km).
Santander Brasil owns the building. It closed to the public in 2015 and reopened on January 26, 2018, as the Farol Santander cultural and entertainment center. Condephaat listed it as a municipal heritage site in 2011. An identification card is required for tours.
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