Mexico City Government Building

The Mexico City Government Building is officially the Edificio de Gobierno de la Ciudad de México. It’s the sister building to the Antiguo Palacio del Ayuntamiento.  Much of the design of this newer building was intended to complement the original. The two buildings host much of the executive and administrative offices of the Mexico City government.

Built between 1941 and 1948, it took the place of the old Portal de las Flores building. First a residential complex, the building later converted to commercial use. That building bore its original owner’s name, Flores. But it did later house a market selling fresh flowers (flores) and produce. The Portal building went up in 1724 and retained its commercial function until the 19th century. Demolition took place in 1935 as the Supreme Court building (to the east) was beginning construction. The demolition allowed for the opening of 20 de Noviembre Street at the center-south of the Zócalo.

• During construction, important discoveries included the remains of a house belonging to Doña Marina, known to history as La Malinche. In even better shape workers also revealed an ancient court for the beloved Mesoamerican ball game.

The building suffered extensive damage in the 1985 earthquake. Reinforcements and intrusive steel buttresses are visible almost throughout the interior. The lobby of the building centers around a main stairwell. The stairwell hosts two 1986 murals by Carlos Montuy. The represent Mexican history from the prehispanic era to the Revolution.