Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Hotel Reforma, July 9th 2006

Exploration made by Erian and me. In our way of explorations we are reaching the most old and historic part of Mexico City were lots of buildings still exist, some of them will be demolished and some others like this one will be re-opened with some modifications and new architecture.

The Hotel Reforma was closed in 1985 after the earthquake that destroyed almost all the city. This is the first building of the famous mexican architect Mario Pani. We will try to reach more information about this place, specially pictures when it was active as the old classic Hotel.

By our disapointment we discovered that it changed a lot inside with new structural reinforcements and all the old furniture disappeared... we could only get the picture of one red leather couch that was part of the original furniture.

Anyway... enjoy the tour!


Before the Earthquake in Mexico City in 1985

Now in 2006... works almost finished to be re-opened


*November 5th 2011 UPDATE: Actually Hotel Reforma is still closed it just opened a little Argentinian Restaurant called '10' in one of its corners. Erian was so excited to come back to the Hotel when it was reopened, in the last phone calls I had with her before she died I told her about the new Restaurant and she wanted to visit it too. R.I.P. Erian :(

Erian Camera:


my Camera:

Autofinanciamiento, July 9th 2006

Exploration made by my gf in those days Erian ;) and me. This time we could have the chance to enter to this place that we coudn´t explore days before. It was an Auto boutique named something like 'Autofinanciamiento', new and used cars for sale and credit plans for their customers was the business here.

The most interesting part was what we found on the room of the person that was taking care of the place 24hrs... lots of pills and drugs... an earring hanging from the ear of a girl picture and a very bad smell.

The place is damaged by vandals and I think that soon it will be demolished or used for a new commercial purpose.



Old German Restaurant, July 2nd 2006

Exploration made by Baudelaire and me. Thanks to Baudelaire who knew about this place and invited me to visit it. It has a huge of story, this building stands in this corner since the earlier 40's in a beautiful Art Deco style that now is very damaged, full of humidity and broken walls, roofs and floors. On the first floor stands a huge abandoned store that has also many years closed. In the glorious days this was the place were the first microfilms were processed in Mexico City for the newspapers. Now an old piano stands inside as a silent witness of the corrosion and decay of the structure.

On the next floors some of the apartments are pretty kept almost intact and some others are totally destroyed. Some famous artists were living here like the mexican singer Jorge Negrete and some writers and film producers who also took this place as location for their films in the mexican cinema golden years (40's - 50's).

Further investigation on the Internet of this place tells that the last time it was opened it was used as a classic mexican bar owned by a spanish family (after it was used for many years as a German Restaurant), where some politicians and writers enjoyed taking a break in this place or using it as an informal meeting place where they were drinking beer and watching the local football games on weekends.