Pemex Tower

The Torre Ejecutiva de Pemex, or simply the Pemex Tower, is one of the oldest and best-known skyscrapers on the Mexico City skyline. Relatively isolated from other towers of the City, it’s held its own for many years. It was the tallest building until the Torre Mayor superseded it in 2003.

It’s not open to the public, but like Pemex itself, it’s a point of pride for many Mexican people. The building was begun in 1979 under the watch of Engineer, Roberto Ramírez Guevara with Architect, Pedro Moctezuma Díaz Infante. Construction lasted until 1984.

At 211 meters, the building has 51 floors and one underground parking section. It’s served by 27 elevators. After the 1985 earthquakes, it was praised for its resiliance. It’s built on top of 164 steel and concrete piles drilled into the earth some 32 meters. The building should be able to withstand an earthquake of 8.5 on the Richter scale. It’s actually withstood some ten earthquakes

About 7,000 workers occupy the building on normal workdays. For their sake, the Pemex Tower is not open to the public. It does provide a sense of place and continuity to the many thousands of people who see it everyday.  While international visitors are not likely to be in the immediate vicinity, the tower is visible from many kilometers in just about every direction.