Edifício Sé

Directly across from the Catedral da Sé [1], at the far side of the praça, the magnificently brooding art deco Edifício Sé (Praça da Sé 111, Centro, tel. 11/3321-4400, www.caixacultural.com.br [2], 9 a.m.–9 p.m. Tues.–Sun., free) dates from the 1930s and serves as the São Paulo [3] headquarters of Brazil’s federal bank, the Caixa Econômica Federal.

The grandiose, marble-lined main floor and mezzanine have been renovated into a cultural center with interesting temporary exhibits. It’s really worthwhile to check out the bank’s offices and coffers. The wooden office furniture—gorgeously streamlined and made in Brazil [4]—will delight design aficionados.