Abasto Shopping in Buenos Aires seamlessly combines the rich history of its former life as the city’s most important market until the late 20th century with its current status as a leading shopping destination.
From the outside, the building remains almost entirely as it was during its market days, preserving its historic charm. Inside, a vibrant mix of shops, cafés, restaurants, a cinema, and an amusement park awaits visitors, offering a perfect blend of entertainment and leisure.
The unique urban location of Abasto Shopping, surrounded by both low-rise houses and high-rise buildings, reflects the area’s evolution through the decades, making it a must-visit for digital nomads, travelers, and expats.
Discover all you need to know about this iconic place with our detailed guide on ExpatPathways.
Abasto Shopping (Buenos Aires): Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit
What is Abasto Shopping in Buenos Aires?
Abasto Shopping, also known as Shopping de Abasto or El Abasto, is one of the largest shopping centers in Buenos Aires. It occupies the site of the former Mercado de Abasto Proveedor, which opened in 1893, expanded in 1934, and closed in 1984. After a decade of abandonment, it was purchased by the developer IRSA, associated with the Chilean firm Parque Arauco.
The mall was redesigned and expanded, with the renovation led by Caputo S.A., starting in January 1997 and inaugurated on November 9, 1998. The inauguration was attended by President Carlos Menem and Mayor Fernando de la Rúa.
The architectural design of Abasto Shopping was a collaborative effort between three architecture firms: Manteola-Sánchez Gómez-Santos-Solsona-Salaberry (MSGSSS), Benjamin Thompson Architects (BTA) from Cambridge, USA, and Pfeifer-Zurdo.
The shopping center boasts over 230 stores spread across four floors, a food court on the top floor, an arcade with mechanical rides, two underground parking levels, a 12-screen cinema (Hoyts Abasto), the Children’s Museum, and Plaza del Zorzal, a covered plaza with a glass roof.
Historical Background
The history of Abasto Shopping begins in the 1890s with a marketplace where vendors sold fruits and vegetables to supply the city. A portion of the market was inaugurated in 1907, and the current structure was completed in 1934.
In 1937, the building received the first Municipal Facades Award for its innovative architectural design. The Mercado de Abasto was the largest market in the city, operating until 1984. In 1998, it was reopened as a shopping center, featuring a cinema complex, children’s museum, arcades, shops, restaurants, and food courts.
The transformation from a historic market to a modern shopping center sparked controversy, especially regarding the preservation of the building’s historical architecture. Despite the internal demolitions, the original façades of both historic buildings were preserved.
This project revitalized the surrounding neighborhoods, which now thrive with tourists, locals, and businesses seeking recreation and entertainment at Abasto Shopping and its vicinity.
Where is Abasto Shopping in Buenos Aires located?
Abasto Shopping is located in the Balvanera neighborhood, in the heart of Buenos Aires. Balvanera, part of Comuna 3, borders San Cristóbal to the south, San Nicolás and Monserrat to the east, Recoleta to the north, and Almagro to the west. The area is primarily residential and commercial, with heritage protection centered around the Abasto Shopping complex.
The neighborhood has seen progressive changes due to real estate projects that develop vacant lots and old, abandoned houses into new buildings and office towers. This development brings both positive and negative effects. On the positive side, increased residency boosts security and commercial activity. On the negative side, the historical and cultural essence of Balvanera, significantly preserved by the Abasto Shopping building, risks being overshadowed by modern developments.
The main entrance of Abasto Shopping is located at Avenida Corrientes 3247, with additional access points on Agüero and Anchorena streets. There are also entrances for private vehicles leading to the underground parking facilities.
How can I get to Abasto Shopping in Buenos Aires?
The location of Abasto Shopping is perfect for reaching by almost any means of transportation, especially public and economical ones. Abasto Shopping has three main entrances: one on Avenida Corrientes and two lateral entrances on Agüero and Anchorena streets.
Additionally, it offers its own parking and exclusive bike lanes around it, making it convenient for visiting by bike or private car.
For public transportation, you will need a SUBE card to pay for your trips. The B subway line has a station directly connected to Abasto Shopping, allowing you to access the mall from the subway without needing to go outside.
Additionally, the H subway line, which runs North-South, has a station at Avenida Pueyrredón and Avenida Corrientes. Here, you can transfer to the B line and travel just one station west to reach Abasto Shopping.
Numerous bus lines can take you to Abasto Shopping, including 24, 26, 71, 115, 124, 146, and 168. While trains are not the most convenient option, the nearest railway is the Sarmiento line, with a terminal at Avenida Pueyrredón and Perón, near Plaza Miserere, about 15 blocks from Abasto Shopping.
Activities and things to do at Abasto Shopping in Buenos Aires
Explore the Shopping Center
The first activity any traveler should do when visiting a shopping mall like Abasto Shopping is to explore the entire complex. As one of the largest shopping centers in Buenos Aires and Argentina, Abasto Shopping occupies an entire city block in the Balvanera neighborhood. Start by walking through each floor to discover what lies behind the imposing exterior façade.
Shopping Tour
Abasto Shopping is an ideal place for shopping, offering a wide range of products from affordable clothing to high-end electronics, books, and jewelry. Major brands vie for commercial space in Abasto Shopping due to its high foot traffic, with millions of visitors each year.
While shopping here provides the convenience of having numerous stores in one location, prices may not always be more competitive than other commercial areas or online options like Mercado Libre.
Enjoy a Movie
Abasto Shopping features a 12-screen cinema complex operated by Hoyts/Cinemark, showing the latest national and international movie releases.
The extensive schedule includes various options for subtitled, dubbed, 2D, and 3D films. Combining a movie visit with a meal at the mall or nearby restaurants makes for a perfect outing.
Food Court
The food court at Abasto Shopping offers a vast array of dining options, from classic fast food to Italian, oriental, vegan, and grilled dishes.
While it may not cater to the most refined palates, the food court provides quick and affordable meals, with several options to choose from and generally fast service except during peak times.
Cafés
Scattered across the floors of Abasto Shopping, you’ll find numerous coffee shops, including well-known chains like Starbucks and unique local brands. These cafés are perfect for taking a break after shopping or as a prelude to a movie visit.
Amusement Park
For children and teenagers, Abasto Shopping offers Neverland and the Museo de los Niños. Located near the food court, these attractions provide entertainment for young visitors.
Neverland is an indoor amusement park, while the Museo de los Niños offers a more relaxed experience, recreating city spaces where kids can role-play as doctors, cameramen, captains, bankers, chefs, journalists, nurses, and more!
