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El Ateneo BookstoreToto, we're not in Barnes and Noble anymore... Take one step inside this incredibly ornate megachamber and you're sure to realize that it isn't your average bookstore. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ateneo">El Ateneo</a> Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires is one of the most dramatic <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-church-renovated-into-modern-bookstore/">booksellers</a> in the world, which makes a lot of sense considering the space used to be a theater. Architect <a href="http://www.fernandomanzone.com.ar/">Fernando Manzone</a> converted the cinema into a shop, but retained many parts of the theater from the stage to the incredible architectural details and even the red curtains - a material-saving move that paid off judging from the shop's popularity.1
El Ateneo BookstoreThe original building was designed by architects <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Glucksmann">Peró and Torres Armengol </a>and opened as the Teatro Gran Splendid in May 1919.2
El Ateneo BookstoreLike much of the architecture from the period, the interior features lavish details such as a ceiling frescoespainted by the Italian artist Nazareno Orlandi and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caryatid">caryatids</a> sculpted by Troiano Troiani.3
El Ateneo BookstoreThe transformation from theater to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/beautiful-bookstore-decor-made-from-old-books/">bookstore</a> consisted of removing the cinema seating and installing rows upon rows of bookshelves.4
El Ateneo BookstoreCustomers wishing to curl up with a book have their choice of many chairs scattered throughout the store including the original theater boxes. The area behind the stage is now a café.5
El Ateneo BookstoreIn 2007, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ateneo">El Ateneo</a> Gran Splendid sold over 700,000 books and over a million people walk through its doors annually.6
El Ateneo BookstoreIn 2008, The Guardian places El Ateneo in the number two spot on its 2008 list of the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/jan/11/bestukbookshops">World's Ten Best Bookshops. </a>7
