Vargem Grande do Sul historic mansion undergoes demolition

A historic early 20th-century mansion in Vargem Grande do Sul is being demolished. The neo-Renaissance building, designed by architect José Speria for coffee farmer João Junqueira da Costa, was located at the intersection of Rua Bernardo Garcia and Rua José Bonifácio.

This marks the third recent demolition of a significant historical mansion in the city. Previous losses include a German-style building from 1911 demolished in December 2024 and another Speria-designed residence demolished in October 2025. Observers note that the lack of local laws protecting the city's historical heritage is contributing to the gradual disappearance of its coffee-era architectural legacy.