Miqueas and Tomás Thärigen, the 'Guardians' of the Barolo: from working as a cadet to creating a business that helps to preserve it

Two brothers who began their careers as delivery boys inside one of Buenos Aires’s most iconic structures have built a tourism business that helps preserve the building while reducing its maintenance costs. Miqueas and Tomas Tharigen operate guided tours within the Palacio Barolo, a project that has attracted thousands of visitors over the past two decades. Their venture started with a simple question asked by Miqueas while watching tourists admire the facade from the street: why not take them up to the lighthouse to see the interior? That idea, conceived in 2004, transformed how the public interacts with the historic edifice located on Avenida de Mayo in the city’s Microcenter district. The Palacio Barolo was inaugurated in 1923 and stands 100 meters tall. Designed by architect Mario Palanti, the structure draws inspiration from Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy. It serves as a reference for eclectic Latin American architecture, blending Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles with modern construction techniques and elements reminiscent of Indian architecture. Although originally intended solely for offices, the building continues to function primarily as office space more than a century later. However, it now hosts a steady stream of tourists alongside employees. Before the Tharigen brothers entered the scene, visitors typically stopped on the avenue to gaze at the height of the tower before continuing on their way. The family connection to the building dates back over a century. Miqueas’s great-grandfather, Carlos Jorio, established his accounting firm in the palace during the 1920s, specifically starting in 1926. Later, Miqueas’s uncle took on the role of building administrator. Growing up, both brothers were linked to the property. Even before formal tours existed, Jorio recognized the potential for tourism. A worker at a ground-floor kiosk recalled that Jorio often stated the location needed constant tourist visits. This early vision laid the groundwork for what would become a commercial reality years later. Miqueas arrived from Mar del Plata to study medicine at the University of Buenos Aires. He worked as a cadet in the Barolo thanks to his uncle’s position, but the income was insufficient to cover his rent. Observing the crowds outside, he formulated the plan to offer access to the upper levels. Initial tours ran on Mondays and Thursdays, avoiding days when Miqueas attended classes. These sessions occurred between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., with departures every hour. Promotion relied heavily on personal effort, with Miqueas frequently distributing flyers on the street to invite passersby. Today, the enterprise receives thousands of visitors annually. The revenue generated contributes to lowering the condominium expenses for the building’s owners. Entering through the glass doors creates a sensation of time travel, according to descriptions of the experience. The floors, ceilings, and old elevators retain details from the early twentieth century. Visitors often imagine men in suits and hats, women in long skirts, and the movement of people traversing the hallways a hundred years ago. Iconic buildings in Buenos Aires possess a mix of nostalgia, elegance, and mystery that transports visitors to another era without requiring museum status. The Barolo exemplifies this quality. While the exterior remains monumental, the interior reveals the secrets of a construction inspired by literary classics. The brothers continue to develop cultural activities within the palace, maintaining a link to the site that spans generations. The business model ensures that the historical value of the architecture is shared with the public while supporting the structural upkeep of the landmark.