at a glance
avenida niemeyer was originally built to provide access to a college located in vidigal, a famous favela-neighborhood located between leblon and são conrado. the street known for its sumptuous curves, estrada da gávea had already gained the nickname 'trampoline of the devil,' and eventually became the site of the early car races in the gávea circuit. in the 1940s and 50s, são conrado square gained popularity as a meeting place for young carioacas. it later became the location of the well known bar bem. at the time the beach was rarely visited and são conrado had few businesses to its name - only a gas station, the gávea country club, a small church and the bowling club pé de vento.
