CÍRCULO MEXICANO || A Shaker-Inspired Hotel Balancing Heritage and Contemporary Style
Mexican architecture and heritage preservation are at the forefront of the Círculo Mexicano, a 19th-century townhome transformed into a contemporary boutique hotel in the heart of Mexico City’s historic downtown.
Developed by Grupo Habita and designed by Ambrosi Etchegaray, this project seamlessly combines old and new to create a unique experience for visitors.
The hotel’s facade retains its historic charm.
The materiality of the original structure is preserved as much as possible, with new design elements creating open-air spaces to draw in natural light.
The Círculo Mexicano makes an effort to adapt to new ways of life while preserving the materials, memories, and conditions of times past. Heritage is viewed as a well-preserved and carefully intervened evolution, not something static. This approach is particularly evident in the project’s homage to Manuel Álvarez Bravo, the building’s former resident and one of Mexico’s most celebrated 20th-century photographers. The space makes a reference to the function of a traditional camera system, which can play with filters, frames, and light sources.
Preservation of a property isn't just about keeping the facade standing; it's considering how the structure will be reoccupied and inhabited with a new purpose. The Círculo Mexicano respects the historical moments and events that took place in the building that shape the views of the citizens.
The hotel’s rooms surround the open central courtyard.
The layout of the hotel plays with the typologies found in Downtown Mexico City such as central, private, and public courtyards. The hotel's private spaces surround the central courtyard on the entrance level, as if it were the street that goes all the way to the back of the building. The materials used on the entrance level evoke the foundations and structures that remain as pre-Hispanic architecture in the subsoil. The use of black granite is subdued to preserve a series of materials uncovered during the intervention.
The rooms in the hotel allow for privacy but at the same time have public features such as open spaces overhead that frame the sky for natural light and ventilation. Inside the bedrooms, light bounces off white quarries; elements of vegetation, water, light, and minimal furnishings show how less is enough. The grand central courtyard leads into unexpected smaller courtyards that contrast against the privacy of the hotel's corridors, hallways, and public spaces.
The rooms feature minimal furnishings and strike a balance between private and public spaces with mini courtyards for each room.
Open-air elements to bring in light and allow for ventilation is integrated into the room designs.
The bathrooms feature modern materials paired with wooden accents for the doors and windows.
Círculo Mexicano is a space within a different setting that seeks to encourage new encounters, returning attention to the visitor himself, to the natural environment, to the cathedral, to the street, and to downtown Mexico City as a space rich in history and diversity. The hotel is a perfect blend of Mexican architecture and contemporary interior design.
The Círculo Mexicano is a shining example of how to preserve the heritage and history of a building while updating it for today's visitors and travelers. The project’s unique approach to preservation, combined with its contemporary design, makes it an exceptional destination for those seeking an authentic Mexican experience. Whether you're interested in the history of Mexico City or the beauty of Mexican architecture, Círculo Mexicano is a must-see.
The hotel in the heart of the city is surrounded by historic architecture and stories of the city.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Team: AMBROSI ETCHEGARAY
Location: Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
Completion: July 2020
Surface Area: 2,535 m2
Photography: Sergio López
Architects: Jorge Ambrosi, Gabriela Etchegaray
Collaborators: Ivo Martins, Sarah Tanguy
Builder: Vigilante de la Construcción
Furniture: La Metropolitana
Landscape: Juan Acevedo/ Roof Plants
Lighting: Luca Salas Bassani Antivari
Branding:
Deduce Design