You can’t live in Centro without being interested in what is going on with regard to restoring the many crumbling old buildings. Having lived through our two courtyard projects I have nothing but respect for people who can take on the restoration of a building that is missing its roof, needs all new systems, is situated on our small, congested streets, and where the restoration is governed by INAH. If you’re doing one of these restorations, you get a hearty thank you from your neighbors in Centro – all of us – I am sure.
The top of the post is a gorgeous huge building at the corner of Mariano Escobedo and Niños Heroes. It has only been a little “remuddled” as the upper patio looks discordant to the rest, but it will be outstanding when it’s done. Although I’m not sure if the work being done is on the whole building – they are cut up sometimes and the door I shot the picture below through is on the right side of the picture. This is just about 1 block from the water.
The one below is on Constitutíon. They have been working on this one for a long time, but they have just gotten the frieze restored, and you can tell they are making good progress as there is always singing and smiling going on here. Again, about two blocks to the beach.
Another one I’ve been watching for a while is below. I think it’s on Canizales just East of Belisario Dominguez. It’s a kind of art nouveau style, different than much of Centro and probably not as old. They are going to have wonderful outdoor space in this one, we can see through the gate. And parking!
This last one (below) is near and dear to my heart. It’s on Melchor Ocampo between Belisario Dominguez and Carnaval. It is one of these I see every day. It has a plaque on it that identifies it as the Genero Estrada house. They have taken a lot of rubble out of there and yesterday I saw architect types walking around upstairs. I am really hoping this is a full on restoration, not just a cleanup like happens sometimes.
Michael
March 6, 2009I love each of these buildings.
Greg
March 6, 2009You picked some of the best Nancy. You are lucky to be able to watch them almost everyday. We don’t get downtown often enough.
1st Mate
March 6, 2009Nancy – Those old buildings are fascinating – I saw most of the ones you pictured when I was tramping around Old Town last year. I’m always curious what they look like inside, and what will be done with them when they’re rehabbed.
Larry
March 6, 2009Nancy – There’s an even better one to check out. It’s on Herbierto Frias, about half a block south of 21 de Marzo, on the west side of the street. If you look inside it has what must have been a really beautiful center courtyard ringed with great high columns.
Larry Lambert
laurencancun
March 6, 2009Honestly, if you can just picture what those buildings used to look like, and see the potential they could have… You just need patience and some money to make it happen! Lovely photos 🙂
Nancy
March 6, 2009Michael, I know you do, they are beautiful.
Greg, That’s why we’re here I think, a couple of oldies enjoying the oldies.
1st. Mate, That’s the part that would be great, to see them before AND after. I’ll try to keep on snooping!
Larry, We walk by the one you’re talking about every day! I probably have ten or so pictures of it, it really was a beauty. About six months or so ago there was a flurry of activity there but basically they secured it and cleaned out the trash and nothing has happened since. So it didn’t get included in the “being worked on” post. But I have my fingers crossed they’ll get back at it.
Lauren, You’re right, the renovators need an amazing amount of vision. And of course, money!
Cynthia Gill
March 7, 2009I loved seeing these beautiful buildings.
jennifer
March 8, 2009The City of Mazatlan has a page with lots of information and pictures of many of the old buildings in Centro. The English is a little stiff, but the history is great.
http://www.mazatlan.gob.mx/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=180
Nancy
March 8, 2009Cynthia, Glad you liked them!
Jennifer, That link is really wonderful! I had so much fun reading and looking and I know I’ll spend much more time, too. A real treasure, thank you!
Larry, I went back over to the house I thought you were talking about and it is between Frias and Belisario on Compania. Not 21 de Marzo. So I went over to 21 de Marzo and it looks like it must be a completed restoration? Anyway, not sure if we’re talking about the same place or not. The one I am talking about is in my Mazatlan Ruins photo album, the last 5 pictures.
Salvador Herrera
March 17, 2009Hi there!
I can’t tell how glad I’m for hearing about the Genaro Estrada house and its possible restoration, and that’s because my mother used to live there when she was young.
She told me that back in time (about 30 or 40 years) she lived with a Congregation (I don’t remember the name) of Sisters. They rented the second floor from the owners – an older married couple who lived in the first floor.
After some years there, she left and, as far as she knows, the building was later a school or something like that.
I love the old buildings but whe she told me this just outside the building, that she lived there and she misses the place, oh the Lord knows that if I were rich I’d buy the house for her before anything else.
Anyway, I just hope (as you do) that this is a restoration and not just a cleanup cause at least I would like to take her to look the house in its former glory.
Salvador Herrera
March 17, 2009By the way, wonderful blog.
I read it once in a while but this is the first time I actually leave a comment.
Have a nice week.
Nancy
March 19, 2009Salvador,
Thank you so much for commenting, and I loved to hear that your mother used to live in that house! I have my fingers crossed about the house, last week they only worked in there on Saturday so I’m not sure what’s going on. I need to go have a chat with the old man who lives kitty corner from it, I imagine he knows the scoop.
Again, thanks so much for your comments!