Palacio de Hierro Polanco

Palacio de Hierro is a surprisingly small luxury retailer. With all of 21 branch stores, somehow it maintains a giant influence on the look, feel, and vibe for all of Mexico. And this is the flagship store for all of them. It competes, only somewhat, for that distinction with the retailer’s historical location in the Centro Histórico.

The striking, even jaw-dropping building that we’re looking at opened in 1997. It was seriously remodeled in 2015, although that remodeling primarily added additional retail spaces to let on the lower levels. With a pricetag said to be upward of $300 million US Dollars, the mega-project has been met with acclaim from the buying public.

Led by architecture firm, Sordo-Madaleno (in 1997 and in 2015), the firm’s founder built the historic San Ignacio de Loyola church, directly across the Avenida Horacio to the south. The complex also houses the Grupo Bal corporate offices.

Many diehard shoppers will swear that this is THE shopping experience in Mexico City. They may be right.

The shopping center has claimed to be the biggest in Mexico. There are more than 100 retailers, and that includes the normal mix of international and upscale eateries.

How many are there? You’ll have to count on your own. Palacio de Hierro Polanco is a fascinating place to stroll. Even if you’re not in town for a shopping spree, fighting temptation is an art all its own.

The Turibus Polanco Circuit is one full block south on Avenida Masaryk at the intersection with Moliere. It’s called “Masaryk and Moliere / Palacio de los Palacios,” named for this shopping center.

The Capital Bus Center-Polanco Route stops at the same point, on the Southeast corner of the Palacio complex. Their stop is called simply “Moliere” for the street.

Hours: Daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.