The construction of a new residential building in Leblon has reignited an old tension between the advancement of the real estate market and residents’ resistance to the transformation of one of Rio’s most traditional neighborhoods.
The Guilhem building, by the construction company Mozak, is at the center of the controversy: the project provides for 115 compact apartments, measuring up to 77 m², and is the target of a criminal report filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office by lawyers who question the legality of the work. The information was published by the newspaper The Globe.
The document presented by lawyers alleges that the project would have been initiated without the formal approval of public bodies and without the registration of the incorporation memorial with a notary’s office.
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The case, still under analysis, could become a symbol of a broader dispute over the direction of verticalization and densification in high-end areas.
A divided neighborhood
Among residents, the feeling is one of apprehension. On streets close to the construction site, posters display phrases such as “Leblon asks for help” and “They want to destroy Leblon”.
For many, new developments with smaller units, a trend that has been gaining strength in upscale neighborhoods, threaten the region’s historical and family identity.
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On the other hand, developers and investors argue that the model represents modernization and inclusion, allowing new resident profiles to access areas previously restricted to high-cost properties.
Construction company’s counterpoint
When contacted by the newspaper, Mozak states that the work follows all legal standards and that the criticisms reveal social prejudice against the arrival of a new audience in the neighborhood.
“Some residents have mobilized against the project based on discriminatory arguments. The company regrets that an initiative that follows the legislation and values the city is being the target of attacks motivated by social prejudice and misinformation”, says an excerpt from the construction company’s note.
New Rio real estate
The conflict in Leblon reflects a broader movement across the Rio market: the expansion of so-called compact buildings, with high-end developments, but with smaller units, aimed at investors and young professionals.
In recent years, this model has spread to areas such as Ipanema, Lagoa and Jardim Botânico, driven by the increase in square meters and the demand for properties with services, technology and privileged locations.
Resistance, however, remains strong among residents who associate the movement with the loss of the community and residential character of these neighborhoods.
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