Who was Corina Kavanagh?

The Kavanagh Building, one of the most iconic landmarks in Buenos Aires’ skyline, is more than just an architectural gem. Behind its towering silhouette lies a captivating story that blends love, power, revenge... and myth. Located in the heart of the city, this Art Deco masterpiece built in the 1930s has become the center of one of Buenos Aires’ most intriguing urban legends: the story of Corina Kavanagh.

A Skyscraper Ahead of Its Time

In 1934, Corina invested her wealth in a bold idea: building the first skyscraper in South America. The result was the Kavanagh Building, a groundbreaking construction that soared 120 meters above the city. Equipped with then-unheard-of luxuries like central air conditioning, rooftop gardens, a swimming pool, refrigerated storage and laundry rooms, it became a true symbol of Argentine modernity.

Designed by the architecture firm Sánchez, Lagos and de la Torre, it was completed in 1936 and quickly became a national landmark.

The Legend of Forbidden Love

Here’s where legend steps in: the story goes that Corina Kavanagh fell in love with a young man from the Anchorena family, one of the most powerful aristocratic families in Argentina.

His mother, Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena, allegedly disapproved of the relationship due to Corina’s “less noble” background.

To exact revenge, Corina supposedly built the Kavanagh Building directly in front of the Basilica of the Blessed Sacrament, funded by the Anchorenas, to block the family’s view of the church from their palace.

Truth or Fiction?

Over the years, historians have debunked this tale. Mercedes Castellanos de Anchorena passed away in 1920  sixteen years before the Kavanagh Building was inaugurated. There’s no evidence of a romantic relationship or a feud between the families.

Still, the legend endures. Why? Because it’s the perfect story: love, social class, defiance, and architecture all wrapped in one.