Inaugurated in 1943, the building—considered the central element of the project—is part of the Pampulha Modern Ensemble, designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Originally conceived as a casino, the “Crystal Palace” began operating in 1942, even before the official inauguration of the ensemble in 1943. The casino remained in operation until gambling was banned in Brazil in 1946.
The building was designed with the aim of creating a luxurious atmosphere, employing the alternation between flat and curved volumes, contrasts of light and shadow, and finishes such as glass curtain walls on the façade.