Quito isn’t likely to be first on a list of must-see destinations for architecture and design in Latin America. Bogota, Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo all offer rich architectural traditions powered by local institutions and designers.
But a closer look at Quito reveals that Ecuador’s capital has something unique to offer. Originally founded by Spanish colonists in the 16th century, the city has transformed over the last 50 years from one dominated by single-family houses to a more vertical urban landscape, powered by a roughly ninefold increase in its population.
Architecture and design in Quito today blend the city’s colonial history with its modern redevelopment to include everything from grand ornate churches to Brutalist hotels to coworking spaces born out of old jazz clubs. We’ve collected from the people who live there the 19 spots in the city most deserving of a visit.
Disclosure: Curbed participated in a weeklong press trip provided by Uribe & Schwarzkopf. As per our ethics guidelines, coverage was not guaranteed, and all reporting was done without input or undue influence from the firm.
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