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City government signs agreement to transform the Automobile Club building into the Museum of Petroleum and New Energies.
Published on 18/03/2026 - 17:45 | Updated on 18/03/2026 - 17:49
The Automobile Club of Brazil building is undergoing restoration work - Marcos de Paula/Rio City Hall Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes participated this Wednesday (March 18) in the signing of the agreement to transfer the building of the former Automobile Club of Brazil, on Rua do Passeio, in Cinelândia, for the creation of the Museum of Petroleum and New Energies. The space will be managed by the Brazilian Institute of Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (IBP) and will function as a new cultural facility in the city, dedicated to preserving the history of the oil and gas industry and promoting debate on the energy transition.
"Today is a very symbolic day for Rio. This building was originally inaugurated during the Empire as one of the city's grand halls. Over time, it has witnessed the history of Rio and Brazil. Now we are giving it a new chapter that is entirely in line with the vocation of this state. The Museum of Petroleum and New Energies is born with the objective of preserving memory, but also to think about the future, the energy transition, innovation, and new technologies. And doing this within this building has a special meaning," stated Mayor Eduardo Paes, who requested that the institute responsible for the museum project also invest in the Passeio Público of Rio de Janeiro, a park located in front of the Automobile Club building.
The historic building, with approximately 4,4 square meters spread over three floors, is being restored by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall. The investment is R$ 36,3 million and, after the completion of the works, the space will be leased to IBP for 30 years. The project foresees the implementation of an exhibition and educational space focused on disseminating knowledge about the energy sector and its transformations.
For the implementation of the museum, IBP has partnered with the companies Petrobras, PRIO and CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation), as well as the Institute for Development and Management (IDG), responsible for developing the museum project. The expectation is that the new space will be inaugurated in the first half of 2028.
"It will be another very cool attraction in Rio. Petroleum museums exist in the biggest cities in the world. And Rio is extremely cultural. The museum will showcase technology, innovations, and also how the process began and developed. I think the museum will attract all generations; we believe it will be a success," said the executive director of Exploration and Production at IBP, Claudio Nunes.
– The history of oil in Brazil is worthy of being told to the world. We went from a condition of strong dependence on imports to becoming one of the main producers, with global prominence in deep and ultra-deep waters, a result of technological development and the training of highly qualified people. Our new generations, children, grandchildren and nephews, need to know this trajectory and understand the role of energy in the country's development. For us, it is a source of great pride to participate in an initiative like this, which values this history and brings it closer to society – highlighted the president of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard.
The initiative also reinforces the importance of the oil, gas, and energy sector to the economy of Rio de Janeiro, responsible for 59,8 formal jobs in the city. The project further expands the network of cultural facilities dedicated to preserving memory and disseminating historical, scientific, and technological knowledge.
"It's necessary to show the importance that the oil industry has for the city of Rio. But it's not just that; we're talking about the Museum of Petroleum and New Energies. It's about bringing in the educational aspect and also looking to the future. Combining history with this very important industry and looking ahead is fundamental, and we are happy that this will be done in the Automobile Club building," declared the Secretary of Economic Development, Osmar Lima.
Restoration of the historic Automobile Club of Brazil
Alongside the museum's establishment, the Rio de Janeiro City Hall is carrying out a complete restoration of the Automobile Club of Brazil building. Located in one of Rio's most traditional areas, near landmarks such as the Lapa Arches and the Cecília Meireles Hall, it boasts spacious, monumental halls spread over three floors.
The intervention is being conducted by the Municipal Urbanization Company (Rio-Urbe), linked to the Municipal Secretariat of Infrastructure. The works began in June 2023 and include the complete structural and architectural restoration of the building, respecting its original characteristics and guaranteeing its preservation for future generations. Completion is scheduled for the end of this year.
Architectural and historical heritage
Because the property is listed as a historical landmark by the State Institute of Cultural Heritage (INEPAC), all interventions follow guidelines for the preservation of historical heritage, with technical supervision from the agency.
The project includes the restoration of the historic facades, with the recovery of ornaments, decorative elements and original window and door frames, as well as the requalification of emblematic interior spaces of the building, such as the main hall, the foyers of the floors and the main halls, including the space under the dome. Structural treatment, masonry restoration, reinforcement of compromised structures and reconstruction of architectural elements deteriorated by time are also being carried out.
The ground floor, with approximately 1,6 m², houses the monumental entrance hall and support areas. The first floor, with approximately 1,5 m², contains the large monumental hall, with approximately 500 m², in addition to the stained-glass hall and side rooms. The second floor has approximately 1,2 m², with a mezzanine, front halls, and ancillary rooms.
The project also includes the complete modernization of the building's facilities, with new electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, and fire prevention systems, as well as adapting the building to current accessibility standards.
An icon of the country's history.
The Automobile Club building, a stage for significant episodes in Brazilian political history, is a landmark of neoclassical architecture in downtown Rio de Janeiro and embodies more than a century of the country's social, political, and cultural history. The property was originally designed as a residence by the architect, diplomat, and intellectual Manuel de Araújo Porto-Alegre. In the mid-19th century, the property was acquired by the Cassino Fluminense, becoming a meeting point for the Rio elite and the Imperial Family itself.
In 1854, the building underwent a major renovation led by architect Luís Hoske, who transformed the old residence into a two-story building with striking neoclassical lines and a traditional ballroom. At the beginning of the 20th century, the property became the headquarters of the Clube dos Diários (Newspaper Club) and, in 1910, it received a new intervention designed by the French architect Joseph Gire, responsible for emblematic projects in Rio de Janeiro, such as the Copacabana Palace and the Laranjeiras Palace.
In 1924, the building became home to the Automobile Club of Brazil, becoming one of the main meeting places for the country's political and cultural elite. The location definitively entered national history by hosting, in 1964, the last speech of then-President João Goulart before the military coup.
