✓ verbatim from the press
São Paulo's Justice suspended on Wednesday (27) the Boulevard São João project — nicknamed 'São Paulo Times Square' — which planned to install four giant LED panels at the intersection of Ipiranga and São João avenues in the city center. The injunction was granted by Judge Celina Kiyomi Toyoshima of the 4th Public Finance Court of TJSP, in response to a popular lawsuit filed against São Paulo City Hall. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A Justiça de São Paulo suspendeu provisoriamente, nesta quarta-feira (27), a continuidade do projeto Boulevard São João, conhecido como "Times Square paulistana"
"A decisão, da juíza Celina Kiyomi Toyoshima, da 4ª Vara de Fazenda Pública do Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo (TJSP), foi motivada por uma ação popular contra a prefeitura de São Paulo."
The magistrate based the suspension on the 'magnitude of the project, the impact on the region, as well as the potential damage to the entire population,' prohibiting the start of any works, installations or interventions related to the project, including the installation of LED panels on the Cine Paris República, Herculano de Almeida, Galeria Sampa and New York buildings. The decision also suspended the effects of approval granted by the City Hall's Urban Landscape Protection Commission (CPPU). ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Considerando a magnitude do projeto, o impacto na região, bem como o potencial dano a toda a população, defiro por ora a liminar", diz a decisão."
"a decisão suspendeu os efeitos da deliberação da Comissão de Proteção à Paisagem Urbana (CPPU) da Prefeitura"
The project was announced in April by the administrations of Mayor Ricardo Nunes (MDB) and Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), in partnership with Fábrica de Bares, the company responsible for Bar Brahma. The proposal included R$ 42 million in private investment over three years to transform the intersection into an entertainment hub inspired by New York's Times Square, with screens that would display 70% cultural content and 30% advertising. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"Anunciado pelas gestões Nunes e Tarcísio em parceria com a Fábrica de Bares, dona do Bar Brahma, o Boulevard São João previa investimento privado de R$ 42 milhões"
"70% do conteúdo exibido nos telões seria destinado a programação cultural e institucional, enquanto 30% poderiam ser usados para publicidade institucional de marcas"
The popular lawsuit was filed by businessman Angelo Andrea Matarazzo and other plaintiffs, including the Institute of Architects of Brazil (IAB-SP). According to the case lawyers, Igor Tamasauskas and Maitê Bertaiolli, the decision preserves the integrity of the Clean City Law, 2007 legislation that restricts outdoor advertising to combat visual pollution in the capital. The judge also ordered City Hall to present documents such as the complete cooperation agreement and technical opinions from involved departments. The decision can be appealed. ✓
Press quotes (3)
"A ação popular foi protocolada pelo empresário Angelo Andrea Matarazzo"
"Entre os autores está o Instituto de Arquitetos do Brasil (IAB-SP)"
"Segundo o advogado Igor Tamasauskas, que trabalhou no caso, a decisão judicial representa a preservação da integridade normativa e da finalidade pública que orientaram a instituição da Lei Cidade Limpa"
The decision was issued by Judge Celina Kiyomi Toyoshima of the 4th Public Finance Court of TJSP on May 27, 2026
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (3)
Angelo Andrea Matarazzo was the main plaintiff in the popular lawsuit
Fábrica de Bares was supposed to invest at least R$ 2 million per year in improvements over three years
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What is the formal case number and complete procedural data?
Why it's still unknown: Reports did not provide the case number, procedural class or other formal identification data of the popular lawsuit.
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What specific jurisprudential precedents and doctrinal tests were applied by the judge in the decision?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not cite the complete text of the judicial decision nor the precedents or doctrinal foundations invoked by the magistrate.
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What is the official position of São Paulo City Hall and the state government on the suspension?
Why it's still unknown: Folha reported that 'City Hall stated that the municipality's Attorney General's Office has not yet been notified of the decision' and that 'the state government did not comment', but there is no substantive defense statement.
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What specific documents did the judge require to be presented and within what timeframe?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention that the magistrate 'ordered City Hall to present the cooperation agreement' and other documents, but do not specify procedural deadlines or complete list.