Casa Norival de Freitas: Axel Grael inspects the future headquarters of the Musical Apprentice ProgramLuciana Carneiro/Ascom
Published 02/05/2024 19:19
Niterói – The mayor of Niterói, Axel Grael, visited, this Thursday (2), the restoration work at Casa Norival de Freitas, in the city center. The historic property is undergoing detailed structural recovery and repair of the original installations. The facade of the mansion is practically complete. The restoration works are being carried out by the Municipal Housing, Urbanization and Sanitation Company (Emusa). Casa Norival de Freitas will be the headquarters of the Musical Apprentice Project. Work on the property is expected to be completed in December.
Mayor Axel Grael highlighted that the restoration of Casa Norival de Freitas is a source of pride, especially given the state of the mansion. “This property was practically in ruin, with its architectural characteristics being lost. This house is a reference and a remnant of what the Center of Niterói was in other times. This house has several details brought from Europe such as wood and tiles. We hired a specialized and very capable company. This is not a job that can be done quickly. It needs to be done with a lot of love. Anyone who follows the work knows the level of detail and care provided by the team of professionals. Here will be a cultural space and the headquarters of the Musical Apprentice Project, which is a source of pride for Niterói. The Apprentice today has 10 thousand students. Niterói is valuing its history, its culture and its architectural heritage,” he said.
The renovation of the historic mansion follows the standards of the State Institute of Cultural Heritage (Inepac). At the back of the property, an annex building with three floors is being built, where there will be a community center with a cafeteria, auditorium with dressing room, administrative headquarters, studio and a room for viewing the mansion. The City Hall’s investment is R$29.1 million.
Responsible for carrying out the work, architect Anderson Miranda highlighted that, with the facade practically ready, the focus is now on the interior of the property. “We have used the outside-in methodology from the beginning. Inside, we will work with the original hydraulic tiles from Portugal, with planked floors and paneled lining. Finally, we will build the annex building, which will be a living space”, stated the architect.
Businessman Márcio Cabral, 58 years old, is the grandson of Norival de Freitas. As a child, she attended the mansion that is now being restored. “This house was expropriated in 1977. Now, entering it again, I have a very big and very fond memory of my childhood days. It’s great that the City Hall is recovering the mansion and reviving the memory of Norival de Freitas. This is very important. We were very happy and proud”, says Márcio Cabral.
Built between 1921 and 1926 and originally called Solar Notre Rêve (Our Dream, in French), the mansion was designed to house Rio de Janeiro politician Norival de Freitas and his family. Acquired by Niterói City Hall in 1977, it was listed by Inepac. The house is a remaining example of residential architecture from the beginning of the 20th century and representative of the former capital of Rio de Janeiro.
