Edise: New chapter for a Rio icon
More than five decades after its inauguration, the Petrobras Headquarters Building (Edise) is beginning to write a new chapter in its history. Located in downtown Rio de Janeiro, the building is gradually returning to occupancy following an extensive renovation that began after it was closed in the first days of 2021.
The renovation, which received investments of approximately R$1.3 billion, marked the first major intervention carried out on the building since its inauguration in 1974.
The return officially began on June 12, during a ceremony attended by Petrobras President Magda Chambriard, members of the executive board, and other authorities. The reoccupation will take place gradually and is expected to continue through 2028. By the end of the process, Edise will have approximately 6,000 workstations.
A Landmark of Brazilian architecture
More than just a corporate address, the building is part of Rio’s landscape and collective memory. Its design was selected through a national competition promoted by the Institute of Brazilian Architects (IAB), with Roberto Luís Gandolfi emerging as the winner. More than half a century later, the building has become one of the defining examples of Brazilian modernist architecture.
The combination of concrete, large glass surfaces, and its distinctive brise-soleils gave the building a unique identity, while the gardens designed by Roberto Burle Marx, one of the most renowned landscape architects of all time, brought architecture closer to nature.
These elements remain present in the renovated Edise. The interior and exterior gardens are being restored in accordance with the original design, preserving their characteristics and respecting the heritage listing granted by the Rio Patrimônio da Humanidade Institute (IRPH) in 2009.
The glass panels were replaced and the traditional brise-soleils were reinstalled, maintaining the architectural concept conceived more than 50 years ago.
The modernization was also necessary to update structures that had aged over time. Piping, electrical and plumbing systems, ventilation, air conditioning, and safety equipment were upgraded, in addition to targeted interventions to the structure and workspaces.
However, the new Edise also aims to look beyond its walls. Praça Monsenhor will once again be open to the public, while the ground floor will feature a multipurpose space and a new entrance from Avenida República do Paraguai. The project also includes the revitalization of the parking building and the Santa Teresa Tram Terminal, strengthening the complex’s connection with its surroundings.
During the ceremony, Chambriard summarized the significance of the moment by saying that the renovated Edise represents a “celebration of achievement.”
“There was an attempt to erase Petrobras and make this company insignificant. That is why today is symbolic. The renovated Edise is a celebration of achievement for all of us. In November, we will have two floors of the building fully occupied. Throughout 2027, we will continue the reoccupation,” said Petrobras President Magda Chambriard during the ceremony marking the beginning of Edise’s reoccupation.
The statement helps convey the role the building occupies in Rio’s collective imagination: a place where Petrobras’ history meets the history of the city itself. Now, after years of closure, Edise is once again welcoming people and becoming part of the daily life of downtown Rio.
EDISE
Year of inauguration: 1974
Floors: 29
Size: 184,000 m²
Height: 110 meters
This article was produced by Westhon Media for One Energy News.