A shopping mall under the open sky in the heart of Palermo? Absolutely! Distrito Arcos Premium Outlet is a cutting-edge shopping destination in Buenos Aires. It is built on the grounds of a former railway site and a defunct winery, preserving and restoring these historic buildings to create an atmosphere that stands out from modern shopping malls.
Distrito Arcos offers multiple entrances for both pedestrians and vehicles, and features a spacious area perfect for exploring with family, friends, or even your pet, who is welcome to join you without any hassle.
Here’s what you need to know about Distrito Arcos and its unique recreational offerings. If you’re looking for a shopping experience that’s different from what you might find in other cities, this is the place to be.
Distrito Arcos (Buenos Aires): What you need to know to enjoy your visit
What is Distrito Arcos (Buenos Aires)?
Distrito Arcos is an open-air shopping mall located in the Palermo neighborhood. It is one of the most modern shopping centers in Buenos Aires, uniquely situated on the grounds of former railway buildings adjacent to an active train line.
The development of Distrito Arcos faced delays due to legal disputes over property ownership and environmental impact concerns. The project, which began planning in 2010, ultimately transformed the site into a premium outlet center, preserving the original brick structures from the early 20th century.
The shopping center consists of these historic railway buildings, warehouses, and a combination of concrete walkways and green spaces, creating a series of charming nooks and semicircles. The only covered areas are within the shops themselves; the rest of the mall is entirely open-air. Throughout your visit, you may hear and see the passing Sarmiento train line, which runs alongside the mall on Juan Bautista Justo Avenue.
Where is Distrito Arcos?
Distrito Arcos is located in Palermo, at Paraguay 4979. The mall is bordered by Santa Fe Avenue, Juan Bautista Justo Avenue, and Godoy Cruz Street.
Juan Bautista Justo Avenue marks the unofficial boundary between Palermo Hollywood and Palermo Soho, two vibrant districts filled with dining, nightlife, and recreational options. The area is popular among locals and tourists alike, offering plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and dance clubs.
Nearby, you’ll find Santa Fe Avenue, one of Buenos Aires’ main thoroughfares. Other attractions such as Plaza Italia, the Botanical Garden, the Ecoparque, and La Rural in Palermo are just a few blocks away.
Distrito Arcos has multiple entrances for both vehicles and pedestrians: two pedestrian and one vehicle entrance on Juan B. Justo Avenue, one pedestrian entrance on Paraguay Street, and two pedestrian and one vehicle entrance on Godoy Cruz Street.
How to Get to Distrito Arcos?
Getting to Distrito Arcos is easy, as the area is well-connected to Buenos Aires’ public transportation network. You have plenty of options to reach the mall without needing a personal vehicle, taxi, or Uber.
If you opt for the subway, the Palermo station on Line D is located on Santa Fe Avenue, right across from Distrito Arcos. You can also transfer between subway lines at the appropriate stations without having to pay twice.
Several bus lines run through the nearby avenues and streets. Both Juan B. Justo and Santa Fe Avenues have Metrobus lanes with exclusive bus corridors and platforms. Some of the bus lines that can take you to Distrito Arcos include: 10, 12, 15, 29, 34, 36, 39, 41, 55, 57, 59, 60, 64, 67, 68, 93, 95, 108, 111, 118, 128, 141, 152, 160, 161, 166, and 194.
You can also take the San Martín train line, which has a station (Palermo) right next to the mall.
Distrito Arcos offers an underground parking facility, as well as bike-sharing stations, providing various options for arriving and departing.
Why Visit Distrito Arcos?
Shopping Experience
Distrito Arcos boasts over 70 retail stores, offering a wide range of products from sports and fashion to technology, footwear, perfumes, travel agencies, and toys.
These stores are housed in the historic railway buildings, making shopping here not just a retail experience, but also an opportunity to admire how these historic structures have been repurposed for modern commerce.
Dining Options
Distrito Arcos offers a variety of dining choices, including bakeries, pastry shops, ice cream parlors, sweet shops, specialty coffee, pizza, beer, burgers, and more. Enjoy a delicious meal or drink while taking in the fresh air in this open-air mall.
The blend of concrete, green spaces, and beautifully restored architecture makes Distrito Arcos much more appealing than an ordinary shopping center.
Pet-Friendly Atmosphere
Did you know that Distrito Arcos is pet-friendly? You can bring your pet along, as long as you follow a few simple rules:
- Use a leash, collar, and ID tag.
- Keep your pet supervised at all times.
- Don’t bring your pet inside the shops.
- Always clean up after your pet.
- Use a muzzle if necessary.
Cultural Activities
In addition to its retail and dining options, Distrito Arcos hosts cultural events for all audiences, including artistic performances, children’s activities, and sometimes even events for pets. Remember, entry to Distrito Arcos is free, so participating in these events won’t cost you a thing.
