Born From Ashes: The Pedregal & Mexican Modernism

All the way south of Mexico City lies one of the most outstanding ensembles of modern architecture. “El Pedregal” as Mexicans call it, is the result of the eruption of “El Xitle” an ancient volcano.

The land remained uninhabited for more than 3,000 years until the early 1940’s when the Mexican artist Diego Rivera, attracted by the beauty of this volcanic landscape purchased a piece of land that would later become the Anahuacalli Museum.

In the mid-1940´s, Luis Barragán learned about “El Pedregal” through his close friend, the painter Dr Atl and started exploring the arid land while taking long hikes during which they could spot snakes, tarantulas and scorpions.

By 1948 Luis Barragán began an endeavor that most couldn’t believe: he set out to create a new neighborhood that would attract the most vibrant and avid new settlers. He began by designing the urban layout of what soon become a new neighborhood that would host long avenues with beautiful parks and gardens, most of them dreamily represented in photographs taken by Armando Salas Portugal.

Barragán’s value proposition was simple: new settlers would be able to afford more land for less money and emulate countryside living while still being close to the city. 

By the late 1960´s El Pedregal became the place to be and the most sought out location for artists, politicians and young affluent professionals to build a house. The influence from the US mid-century modern and international style soon started to inspire Mexican architects.

During our 4 ½ hour tour, we will have you discover through prime examples of residential architecture, how the neighborhood became the birthplace of Mexican Modernism.

• Visit of Casa Prieto Lopez (1947-1951), also known as Casa Pedregal, the first residencial project of El Pedregal designed by Luis Barragán.

• Private visit of Casa Locken (1956) by Francisco Artigas, a prime example of the second stage which the neighborhood underwent.
• Visit of Parroquia de la Santa Cruz del Pedregal (1968) designed by Antonio Atollini Lack.
• Private visit of Casa Cetto (1948-1952) the property that the german architect Max Cetto built for himself and inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright

Included in your Born From Ashes: The Pedregal & Mexican Modernism tour are:

• Transportation in a VW Beetle convertible or vintage VW Combi bus
• Your guide (a licensed architect) during your 4-hour tour
• Admission fee and photo permit for the 3 private properties visited
• Bottled water
• Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel for private tours and selected locations across the city for shared tours

Not included in your tour are:

• Purchases you may choose to make along the way
• Gratuities you may choose to give at your discretion
• Individual pick-ups for shared tours

Shared tour: $220.00 USD per person.
Travel with other guests. A combined minimum of 3 guests is required for shared tours to be scheduled. If the minimum guest requirements are not met, we will offer you possibility to travel on a private basis.

Private tour: $285.00 USD per person.
A vehicle and guide will be assigned just to your group. A minimum of 2 guests is required.

Solo passenger tour: $560.00 USD.
Travel on your own with a guide and vehicle just for you.

* Children ages 7-13 pay half price.

Cancellation & No-Show Policy:
If you have any questions regarding our Cancellation & No-Show Policy, please visit our FAQ or General Tour and Travel Terms pages.

Shared vs. Private Tours:
Groups of three or more guests booking a shared tour may occasionally be split between different vehicles and guides. If traveling together is important to you, we recommend choosing our private tour option.