Havre 77: Derelict House in Mexico Transformed into a Mixed-Use Venue.

Previously the home of an upper-middle class family, this dilapidated brick residence was radically transformed by architects Francisco Pardo and Julio Amezcua into a mixed-use building that accommodates a multi-purpose venue, housing offices, co-working spaces, and two restaurants – one French and the other Japanese. A new two-storey steel and concrete structure was placed on top of the existing three-storey brick building, offering additional floor space. “While evoking different eras through different languages, the existing building and the new additions are naturally integrated, and complete each other like two sides of the same coin,” share the architects.

Located on the south side of Paseo de la Reforma, Havre 77 resides in one of the most exclusive areas in Mexico City from the early 1900’s – a suburb that’s over the years seen multiple transformations. This privileged residential neighbourhood witnessed a revolution war in the early 20th century, as well as two destructive earthquakes in 1957 and 1985, followed by frozen rents for the past 50 years. All of these events have changed the face of the once exclusive area; the empty lots left from the earthquakes, changes of land use and undervaluing of the land becoming its main problems.

In the old house, original period features were restored to their former glory, while some surfaces were left untouched, bringing about an interesting visual contrast with a highly textured distressed look. The staircase that links all five floors acts as a unifying visual link between the five levels, featuring materials such as exposed bricks, reclaimed timber, concrete and steel.

“This is not just a restoration, it’s an intervention”, explains Francisco Pardo. “Our project aims to change the DNA of a neighbourhood to respond to current social needs.” By giving the old home a new lease of life, the project aims to catalyse further adaptive reuse developments in the area.

As part of the same regeneration programme, known as ReUrbano, Francisco Pardo has converted another house, his award-winning project Havre 69, offering reassurance that the future is looking brighter for this area in Mexico City.

More Adaptive Reuse projects on Yellowtrace.