The Buenos Aires Design shopping center returns to Recoleta, located in the historic building designed by Clorindo Testa, renovated and expanded to three floors, under a new name and with a focus on international brands that alter its original profile centered on design and decoration. This return occurs in a context where lower demand is expected due to the decrease in foreign tourists and the emigration of Argentina's upper-middle class, a consequence of the internal economic situation and exchange rate parity.
The new shopping center, called OH!, was initially planned to open in June, but it has been postponed first to August and now to September. It will occupy an area of 35,000 square meters with 120 stores and has been designed with bioclimatic architectural criteria that will allow natural light to enter through four internal courtyards, generating energy savings. This focus on sustainability aligns with the global trend toward sustainable construction and the use of technologies that minimize energy consumption.
This new shopping center joins 20 others in the Metropolitan Area of Buenos Aires, all recognized by tourism agencies as recommended destinations for shopping. After a strong decline in sales in 2024, shopping centers recorded a rebound in February 2025, with a 15.0% increase compared to the previous year. This increase was influenced by consumer preferences, promotions, and the growing role of electronic commerce in sales.
Additionally, a recent study revealed that the days leading up to Father's Day were the peak days for public attendance in shopping centers last year, highlighting the importance of holiday dates in consumer dynamics. Saturdays continued to be the busiest days in shopping centers, closely followed by Sundays and Fridays. In terms of sales, clothing led during the first half of 2024, followed by footwear and perfumery.
