Centro Historico Porfiriato - Late Nineteenth Century Mexico City

Mexico City's Centro Histórico remains primarily characterized by Spanish Colonial Era buildings (1521-1821), but buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries are also mixed in. Sorting out their eras from the apparent jumble is a challenge. Few buildings from the fifty years comprising the Post-Independence era (1823-1855) and the Reform (1855-1876) can be found.

Neo-classic commercial building from 1846,
the year the U.S. invaded Mexico
Photo: JRB

However, in the area west of the Zócalo, in streets such as 16th de Septiembre, Madero, Cinco de Mayo (Fifth of May), Tacuba and Donceles that run to the Eje Central/Lázaro Cárdenas. and the north-south streets that cross them, a number of commercial buildings from the Porfiriato (1877-1911) can be found. They display the ornate late 19th century esthetics of Neo-classicism, French Second Empire and Art Nouveau.

Neo-classic
Photo: JRB
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French Second Empire
Photo: JRB

Photo: JRB

French Second Empire, 
with characteristic mansard roof
Photo: JRB

Neo-classic
Photo: JRB

    

Neo-classic
Photo: JRB

Neo-classic
Photo: JRB

French Second Empíre
Photo. JRB

The "Paris Building"
Photo: JRB

The "Paris Building"
Photo: JRB

Neo-classic doorway with
Art Nouveau decoration
Photo: JRB

             

Art Nouveau stained glass ceiling of the Gran Hotel,
originally a department store opened in 1899
Photo: JRB

Elevators by Otis of Chicago,
Gran Hotel
Photo: JRB

Theater of City of Mexico,
originally Theatro Esperansa Iris.
named after the Mexican operetta singer who personally built it.
Constructed between 1917-18. at the end of the Mexican Revolution,
but in 19th century, Neo-classic style with Art Nouveau canopy
Photo: JRB

Other Posts on the Porfiriato Era

• The Porfiriato: French Culture Conquers Mexico City
• The Grandeza of Porfirio Díaz
• Inside Porfirio's Palace 
• Colonia Santa María la Ribera: Early Twentieth Century Century Popurrí
• Colonia San Rafael: Decay, Renewal and Restoration
• Colonia Benito Juárez: Where History Lives in the Shadows
• Colonia Cuauhtémoc: The First Decades of the 20th Century Marry the First Decades of the 21st
• Colonia Roma Norte Part I: Houses—and a Culture—That Survived a Revolution
• Colonia Roma Norte - Part II: Dreams in Stone and Glass...and Paint
• Seeking Restored Vitality: Colonias of the Porfiriato Have Varying Success
• Colonia Condesa and Its Sisters: From Past to Present, Part I - Transition to the 1920's