La Torre:

Torre Latinoamericana is a skyscraper located at the corner of Francisco I. Madero Street and Eje Central in the Historic Center of Mexico City.

Its central location, its height (181.33 meters including the antenna, with 44 floors), and its history have made it one of the most iconic buildings in Mexico City.

It was the tallest building in Mexico City from its completion in 1956 until 1972, and it held the record as the tallest skyscraper in the world outside the United States—making it the tallest in Latin America at the time. It also opened as the first and largest building with a glass and aluminum façade, and it was the only skyscraper in the world built in a seismic zone, serving as a model for the foundation and construction of future buildings worldwide.

The Torre Latinoamericana was completed in early 1956 and officially inaugurated on April 30 of that year. The company then moved into floors 4 through 8, while the remaining office space in the tower was offered for rent. At the time of its completion, it was the tallest building in Latin America. Its public observation deck, located on the 44th floor, offers visitors one of the best views of the city.

The tower gained worldwide recognition when it withstood a powerful earthquake on July 28, 1957, thanks to its steel-frame structure and deep foundation piles. This achievement earned it an award from the American Institute of Steel Construction, recognizing it as the tallest building ever exposed to such a significant seismic force—commemorated by plaques in the lobby and observation deck. However, its greatest test came during the earthquake of September 19, 1985, when the tower endured a magnitude 8.1 quake on the Richter scale, lasting just over two minutes, without damage. It also withstood a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on April 13, 2007. Today, it is considered one of the safest buildings in the city and in the world, despite its location.

The tower celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2006. On April 30 of that year, a ceremony took place that included the reopening of floors 38 through 44 after renovations, the inauguration of an on-site museum, and the unveiling of recognitions awarded by the Mexican Institute of Intelligent Buildings (IMEI). Future plans for the tower include refurbishing the façade with modern materials while preserving its original design and appearance, as it is considered a property of artistic value and its exterior cannot legally be altered.

It is no longer the tallest skyscraper in Mexico City, but it remains one of the most prestigious due to being the first in the world built in a seismic zone and an enduring icon of the city because of its history.

The Torre Latinoamericana has stood watch over the Historic Center since 1956. It survived two major earthquakes and witnessed the city’s reconstruction after both. In 1957, it received an award from the American Institute of Steel Construction for its resilience during that year’s quake. The tower was built on the site that once housed Moctezuma’s “House of Animals.”