This building is a testimony to Chile's darker history. It was used as a secret service detention centre during the military junta period, but is now a state ministerial builiding. There are many buildings of similar arquitecture in the historic Barrio Republica sector, near where this place is found. Many of the richest families in Chile had homes here in the last few centuries, and Avenida Republica was the first paved street Santiago had. Now it is mainly a University neighborhood, with several major universities having their campuses on or near this avenue.