French landscape architect Charles Thays designed the densely forested Plaza Libertador General San Martin , once the site of a slave market and later of a bullring. It now features the obligatory equestrian statue of the libertador.

Surrounding the plaza are several landmark public buildings. The Palacio San Martin acquired by the state for its Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto (Foreign Ministry). The Circulo Militar, it houses the Museo de Armas (Weapons Museum). Teatro Cervantes housing the Museo Nacional del Teatro (National Theater Museum).

The 76m. Torre de los Ingleses, across Av. del Libertador from Plaza San Martin, was a donation by the City's British community in 1916. The Big ben clone testifies to the partial truth of the aphorism that an Argentine is an Italian who speaks Spanish, wishes he were English, and behaves as if he were French.
Opposite to the plaza is the Estacion Retiro, built in 1915 when the British controlled the country's railroads.