Home to nationally important banks, expensive offices and some of the tallest buildings in South America, Sanhattan is the north-eastern financial district of Santiago and a key business and commercial hub of Chile’s capital city. Its name comes from a combination of Santiago and New York’s Manhattan as an unofficial term for the high-end area on the Mapocho River. Sanhattan is a bustling part of the city, buzzing with energy and popularity due to its shopping facilities, entertainment, working residents and classy nightlife, making it a must see centre for visitors to Santiago.
The architecture of Sanhattan is especially impressive and includes both the Titanium La Portada, standing 194 metres high, and the Gran Torre Santiago, at 300 metres high, which are two of South America’s tallest buildings. In addition to banks and offices, the area contains many restaurants, bars and cafes offering a range of international cuisine, from classic Chilean dishes to food from around the world. There is also an abundance of shopping opportunities, especially those focusing on high-quality products, such as Italian fashion wear, designer furnishings and luxurious foods. Antique markets are also popular in the area, and visitors can alternatively discover hidden cosy cafes, walk between the many modern sculptures and progressive artwork scattered around Sanhattan or simply marvel at the incredible skyscrapers of this impressive financial district.
Parking in the area of Sanhattan is limited, but taxis and microbuses travel through the roads. The city subway also travels to the financial district, and once in Sanhattan, visitors can easily walk around the district by foot. The nearest airport is Santiago International, about 25 kilometres away.
The land of Sanhattan was originally part of the Providencia commune run by Ricardo Lyon until it became an aristocratic residential area in 1937. The district started to develop into its current modern and financial form in the 1990s and is now one of the most expensive areas in all of Chile. It contains the World Trade Centre for Santiago, which has around 3,000 employees representing 85 different countries.