Palmanova Center: An Architectural Icon That Redefines the Logic of the City in Asunción
- Carlos E. Gimenez
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
With over 210,000 m² of construction, four towers, a shopping center, and an internationally award-winning design, Palmanova Center is establishing itself as Asunción's new urban and architectural landmark.
Last night, at a meeting held at Talleyrand Costanera, Palmanova Center was officially presented. This large-scale project aims to become one of the defining elements of the new metropolitan Asunción. Strategically located on Primer Presidente Avenue, the complex was conceived as an integrated, mixed-use urban unit incorporating residential, office, commercial, hotel infrastructure, and a wellness offering, spread over more than 210,000 square meters of construction.
Palmanova Center is located right on Avenida Primer Presidente, one of the capital's new growth axes. It is a mixed-use development that includes two residential towers, two corporate towers, a five-story premium mall, the city's highest rooftop, and the most comprehensive wellness offering in the country, all conceived within a sustainable, connected environment designed to coherently articulate the functions of living, working, and coexisting within a single urban space.
"Palmanova Center isn't just a project; it's a new way of thinking about and experiencing the city. A turning point in Asunción's urban model," said Adrian Soria, CEO of Katuete SRL.
The choice of this project is not solely based on land availability, but rather on a rationale for functional centrality. Primer Presidente has become one of the most dynamic corridors in the Paraguayan capital, with direct connectivity to the Héroes del Chaco Bridge—the country's main source of commercial tourism—and proximity to both the corporate hub and the international airport. The presence of continuous sidewalks, established vegetation, and an urban fabric still in transition make this area a concrete opportunity for the development of a new urban centrality.
Palmanova Center's two residential towers, with 40 and 37 floors respectively, offer more than 400 residential units in one-, two-, and three-bedroom typologies, including penthouses. All units are designed with large balconies incorporating barbecue grills, creating functional outdoor spaces for everyday use. The overall layout favors natural lighting and cross ventilation, in line with the project's environmental efficiency standards.
One of the distinctive aspects of the proposal is the design of the building envelopes. The towers incorporate double-glazed windows (DVH) and aluminum composite panels (ACM) with a 40% solar reflection capacity, which allows for a 40% reduction in energy consumption compared to a conventional tower. This is complemented by the inclusion of vertical gardens, perimeter planting beds, and vegetation integrated into the balconies, not only as an aesthetic element but also as a thermal mitigation strategy.
The amenities include a gym measuring over 250 square meters, coworking spaces, covered barbecue areas, saunas, game rooms, and a rooftop terrace spread over the top three levels, featuring tiered infinity pools with open views of the city. This residential project is geared toward those who prioritize architectural quality, a strategic location, and a complete urban experience.
In this first pre-sale phase, residential units are available at an introductory price starting at USD 2,000 per square meter, with an estimated annual appreciation of 10% projected until 2030. The project offers the possibility of financing the purchase for up to 60 months, with a 30% down payment. For those who opt for a cash purchase, a surety bond guaranteeing 100% of the capital invested is available, along with additional incentives for select units.
The corporate component of Palmanova Center consists of two towers, each measuring 36 and 33 stories, designed for companies requiring high-quality infrastructure in a connected and emerging location. The full floors will have floor areas ranging from 800 to 1,200 square meters, while the half floors will be offered in configurations ranging from 400 to 600 square meters. The sale will be as-built, allowing buyers to adapt the spaces to the needs of their tenants.
The corporate program is complemented by additional infrastructure geared toward professional use: a convention hall with a capacity for 1,500 people, designed to host regional congresses, expos, and business events, and a three-story executive hotel integrated into one of the towers, intended for executives visiting Asunción for work. Also planned is the opening of exclusive restaurants for office space users, located on the fourth level of the basement.
The Palmanova Center's commercial center is, both physically and programmatically, the project's central hub. Spread over five levels and covering over 55,000 square meters, the shopping center was conceived as a hybrid of an enclosed mall and an open promenade, with a central linear park that runs from rear to front and connects the various pedestrian entrances. The interior circulation was designed to generate a continuous experience, with bridges, passageways, and open spaces that redefine the connection between public space and commerce.
The proposal will include more than 90 retail spaces, a supermarket, a diverse food offering, and meeting spaces. Operationally, the shopping center will operate exclusively on a lease basis, and the developer has announced that letters of intent from interested operators will be accepted starting this week.
This foundation is not limited to a functional role, but also fulfills a structural and symbolic role: it serves as the physical foundation for the towers and the meeting point for those who live, work, or visit the complex. By opening up to the surrounding environment with multiple access points and pedestrian continuity, the mall presents itself as an integrative space that seeks to connect with the surrounding urban fabric and bring vitality to the area.
The design of Palmanova Center recently won two Gold Winners at the International Architecture & Design Awards (IADA), organized by the Architecture & Design Community. The project was recognized in the High Rise & Skyscraper Architecture Concept and Mixed-Use Development Design Concept categories, standing out among more than 500 proposals from 40 countries.
According to architect Martin Jasper, principal of Jasper Architects, the proposal stems from a precise reading of the urban environment. The base of the project is organized as a public plinth with open circulation, functioning as an "urban glen" and allowing fluid passage between commercial spaces, cafes, pedestrian bridges, and green spaces. The four towers emerge from this base through stepped prisms designed to maximize the entry of light and ensure open views to the four cardinal points.
The towers are designed with the same sustainability rationale that characterizes the rest of the complex, incorporating highly thermally and visually efficient facades, as well as integrated vegetation for climate control and privacy. The orientation and geometry of the floors avoid direct clashes between facades, favoring open views in different directions and ensuring good light quality at all levels. This approach to efficiency has led to the project already being pre-approved for LEED certification, in recognition of its commitment to sustainability and conscious design.
The project will be executed simultaneously in all stages, without segmentation into partial phases. This will allow for the complete complex to be delivered in a coordinated and functional manner by December 2030. The major works are scheduled to begin at the end of this year, continuing with the preliminary work already underway. This methodology responds to the need to ensure coherence between the different components of the development and ensure a consolidated urban experience from the first day of operation.
The project is being developed by Katuete SRL, a Paraguayan family-owned company with over twenty-five years of experience in the construction sector. Founded in 1998, the firm began its journey executing state-owned projects, duplexes, and custom projects, consolidating a reputation based on meeting deadlines and quality standards. Over time, Katuete took a firm step toward the development of high-rise buildings, positioning itself as a relevant player in the country's real estate market. It currently has over 50,000 square meters of vertical construction across projects such as Palmanova Las Mercedes, Palmanova Villa Morra, and Palmanova Pacheco. The company is led by Mr. Adrián Soria Pedrozo as general manager and Enmanuel Brítez Rettori as operational manager. They have driven a strategy focused on integrating architectural design, sustainability, and urban functionality as pillars of business growth.
The overall design was led by Jasper Architects, a studio with offices in Berlin, Buenos Aires, and Asunción, renowned for its focus on highly complex and typologically coherent projects. Its founder and director, Martin Jasper, is a German architect and engineer trained at the Universität der Künste in Berlin, the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, and the Politecnico di Milano, with additional studies in painting at the Accademia di Brera. His work is characterized by a contemporary approach, sensitive to the urban context and the efficient use of resources, as can be seen in notable projects such as UP! Berlin, a conversion project on a former shopping mall in East Berlin, transformed into a mixed-use building with a sustainable focus.
Construction will be carried out by Dumot Construcciones, a company founded by Víctor Rubén Dumot, a company with over six decades of experience in civil, industrial, and infrastructure projects. Its experience ranges from large-scale projects to specialized installations, technical consulting, and supervision of public and private works. The firm operates with a stable staff of specialized professionals and technicians, as well as its own equipment and machinery, allowing it to efficiently undertake projects of varying complexity. The combination of accumulated experience, operational capacity, and focus on innovation positions Dumot as one of the most solid technical leaders in the construction sector in Paraguay.
Palmanova Center is not only a large-scale project, but a concrete manifestation of the potential for urban planning in Paraguay when strategic vision, rigorous design, and commitment to the environment converge. Its scale, while ambitious, is based on a clear functional logic: to consolidate a new centrality in an area with real urban potential, connected, accessible, and expanding.
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