Discover the story of Antônio Diedrichsen, who helped modernize the Ribeirão Center A symbol of the center of Ribeirão Preto for almost 90 years, the Diederichsen Building was considered one of the main postcards of Ribeirão Preto (SP) and one of the first buildings in the interior of São Paulo. Behind the construction is the story of Antonio Luiz Cristiano Diederichsen, a businessman who became known as "Seu Tonico" and who played an important role in the economic development of Ribeirão Preto during the first half of the 20th century. This report is part of the series 'Hidden Stories', a special production by EPTV, a TV Globo affiliate, to celebrate Ribeirão Preto's 170th anniversary, celebrated on June 19th. Curiosities, notable characters and facts that few people know help to understand the trajectory of one of the most important cities in the state of São Paulo. Who was Antônio Diederichsen Son of a German immigrant and a Brazilian mother, Antonio Diederichsen was born in 1875, in São Paulo (SP), but built his business career in Ribeirão Preto. While still young, he received part of his training in Europe and, upon returning to Brazil at the end of the 19th century, he began working on his family's rural properties. Over the years, he realized that the city's economy could not depend solely on coffee. In 1903, he founded the company Diederichsen & Hibbeln, known as Antigo Banco Constructor, located near the Companhia Mogiana station. The enterprise brought together different activities, such as hardware sales, foundry, mechanical workshop and sawmill. Portrait of Antonio Diederichsen Public and Historical Archive of Ribeirão Preto Diederichsen's business vision led him to invest in sectors that were still little explored in the city. According to the book 'Diederichsen: O Sonho de Antonio em Concreto', by journalist José Manuel Lourenço, he was among the pioneers in introducing the automobile in Ribeirão Preto and also invested in gas stations, parking lots and new business models when these activities were still new in the city. ⏳MORE STORIES FROM RIBEIRÃO PRETO... Discover the history of Cruz do Pedro, a symbol of faith that gave rise to the pilgrimage in Ribeirão Preto Former brewery let employees drink free beer after work Who was Sinhá Junqueira, a woman who became known for her philanthropy in Ribeirão Preto The concrete dream In the 1930s, Antonio Diederichsen decided to invest in what would become his most ambitious project. In 1934, he bought the land where Colonel Quinzinho da Cunha's mansion used to be, located where Álvares Cabral and São Sebastião streets meet. The property was demolished to make way for the new development. Designed by architect Antonio Terreri, the Diederichsen Building began construction in 1934 in a period of great economic uncertainty, due to the 1929 crisis. Opened in 1937, the building was considered one of the first skyscrapers in the interior of São Paulo and the first vertical building in Ribeirão Preto. With architecture inspired by the art deco style, it brought together shops, offices, apartments, a hotel and the Cine São Paulo in a single space. The building quickly became a symbol of the city's urban growth and began to represent the image of a Ribeirão Preto that sought to modernize. View of the front facade (Rua Álvares Cabral) and side facade (Rua São Sebastião) of the Diederichsen Building from the roof of the Correios building, in 1937 Construction album of the Diederichsen Building Legacy to the city Antonio Diederichsen died in 1955, but his connection with Ribeirão Preto remained through the shares he left recorded in his will. According to the book, Seu Tonico was known for his discreet profile and philanthropic activities. He allocated part of his assets to social institutions. Among the decisions was the donation of the Diederichsen Building to Santa Casa de Ribeirão Preto, with the intention that the income obtained through rentals would help finance the hospital's activities. More than eight decades after its construction, the building remains one of the city's best-known architectural landmarks. Listed as a historical heritage site in 2005, the building is undergoing discussions and projects aimed at its preservation and restoration. Restoration project begins for the Diederichsen building, the first building in Ribeirão Preto Reproduction/EPTV *Under the supervision of Thaisa Figueiredo See more news from the region on g1 Ribeirão Preto e Franca VIDEOS: Everything about Ribeirão Preto, Franca and the region