Casa Arenas Loayza

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Casa Arenas Loayza is a historic two-story house in the historic center of Lima, Peru. Built in 1886, it is located in Cercado de Lima, just a block from the Government Palace and is part of Peru’s Cultural Heritage. The ground floor mostly houses shops, while the upper floor holds the living spaces. The first floor has five openings with semicircular arches, and the second floor features three short projecting balconies and two parapet balconies, which stand out from Lima’s typical wooden, enclosed balconies.

The façade blends Italian neo-Renaissance style with eclectic touches. Neo-Baroque details appear in the balconies, jambs, screens, and pilaster shafts, while neo-Gothic elements are visible in the frieze and the corbels that support the cornice and roof railing. Unlike many similar houses of the era, its plan is not built around a central patio. Inside, plasterwork with a floral motif decorates the walls.