Colonia de la Condesa - One of Mexico City's First Modern Neighborhoods
With Two Colored Maps
A detailed and very rare report for investors in the recent Mexico City subdivision of Hacienda de la Condesa.
The two maps are very interesting, one showing Mexico City as a whole, with the other focused on the new Colonia de la Condesa. The latter shows the recently constructed racetrack or hipodromo, as well as planned streets in Condesa, which are generically numbered "Avenidas Reformas", apparently in reference to nearby Paseo de la Reforma, to the north of the subdivision. Also notable about the latter map are the indications of the modern water and sewer systems planned for the subdivision, as designed by Roberto Gayol. La Condesa, along with adjacent Colonia Roma, stands as one of Mexico City first modern neighborhoods.
The maps are:
- Plano Comparativo del Desarrollo de la Ciudad de México. 1904.13.25 x 11.5 inches. Color coded to show the city's built environment as it was 25 years earlier, the present (1904) and projected growth 25 years into the future.
- Plano de la Parte Suroeste de la Ciudad de Mexico con la Colonia de La Condesa Indicando el Proyecto de Saneamiento, formado por el Señor Ingeniero Civil, Roberto Gayol. 1904. Map signed in stone, Antonio Linares, Ingeniero Topógrafo.
The Administrative Council (Consejo de Administration) of the investor group that organized and managed the Colonia de la Condesa included several prominent and well-connected Mexican businessmen, including Enrique C. Creel, Guillermo de Landa y Escandon, and the son of the President of Mexico, Porfirio Diaz, Jr.
The text is comprehensive, and covers the legal aspects of the land titles, contracts, sundry financial and legal documents, as well as the contract for the sale of land destined for the Jockey Club's racetrack or Hipódromo. Of particuarly note is the detailed report by Roberto Gayol on the water and sewer system planned for La Condesa, including budget:
Informe Relativo al Proyecto de Obras de Saneamiento de la "Colonia de la Condesa."
La Condesa and Robert Gayol
Roberto Gayol (1857-1936), noted as one of Mexico's cientificos - scientifically-trained technicians - during the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz, was a key figure in Mexico City's modernization during the early 20th-century. A graduate of the Escuela Nacional de Ingenieros, he became a distinguished professor and contributed significantly to the development of Mexico City's infrastructure. Gayol's expertise in soil mechanics and drainage was integral in designing the modern water and sewer systems for the Condesa and Roma neighborhoods, addressing the city's sinking issues through innovative engineering. His projects, including the construction of a sewage pumping system near San Lázaro canal and various public works, showcased his commitment to improving urban living conditions and agricultural productivity. His legacy, particularly in Condesa's infrastructure, remains a testament to his vision and skill.
Colonia La Condesa
La Condesa is known today for its interesting array of mid-20th-century modern architecture as well as for its vibrant nightlife. The area now comprises three distinct colonias in the city's Cuauhtémoc borough: Colonia Condesa, Colonia Hipódromo, and Colonia Hipódromo Condesa. In the early 20th-century Condesa was popular with European exiles and immigrants, particuarly Jewish families and Spaniards, many of the latter arriving after the Spanish Civil War. While the 1985 Mexico City earthquake damaged the area significantly, Condesa emerged in the 1990s as a fashionable hub for the city's creative and business-minded residents. In recent years international expats known as digital nomads have moved in, pushing up real estate values, much to the dismay of established local renters and some businesspeople.
Rarity
This work is very rare in both the antiquarian market as well as in institutional holdings. Not a single example recorded in OCLC.