The 12-story building was planned for the Caja del Seguro Obrero Obligatorio (Created in 1924) to a design of the architect Ricardo González Cortés, who was influenced by the ideas of the
Chicago school and the
Art Deco movement. Its construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1931, surpassing the
Edificio Ariztía as the tallest office building in Chile. The building reached notoriety in 1938 when the
Seguro Obrero massacre occurred. On September 5 of that year, the building was seized by members of the
National Socialist Movement of Chile and a shootout took place between them and the
Carabineros. The protesters were shot by the police force inside the building after had surrendered. As a result, 59 of them were killed. Since November 1989, the building serves as the headquarters for the
Ministerio de Justicia. == See also ==