Torre AXA México

The Torre AXA México is a unique landmark in the Del Valle Norte neighborhood. It’s gone by a good half dozen names. Most memorably it was called the Torre de Mexicana and Torre de Mexicana de Aviación because it was built for and housed the now defunct airline for many years. In fact, Rafael Mijares and Andrés Giovanni designed the building to resemble an airport traffic control tower. Architect, Pedro Ramírez Vázquez worked on the project from 1978 until 1982. It not’s clear if any of them foresaw the name by which it’s most commonly called: La Licuadora, i.e.; The Blender.

With 30 floors and 11 elevators, it’s easily the biggest and most prominent in its neighborhood. When the devastating 1985 earthquake damaged much of Mexico City, this one stood firm.

It’s today considered one of the safest skyscrapers in the world. It’s frequently noted that it’s now survived some seven major earthquakes with out damage or injury. It’s built with 65 seismic dampers and with 35 steel and concrete piles that penetrate to a depth of 40 meters. It should withstand earthquakes up to 8.5 on the Richter scale.

With an office tower, a small shopping center, and a very big parking lot, it’s one of the nicest corners of Del Valle. It remains a prime real estate spot because so many workers live in this central part of Mexico City. Originally having relocated all of the Mexicana airline’s many scattered employees to one location was a big success. Today the Torre AXA México carries it on.