In recent years, the restoration of historic buildings and colonial houses in the center of Merida, Yucatanhas gained strength, thanks to projects what They seek to recover the essence of the traditional architectureadapting it to contemporary needs.
In 1982, Mérida was declared a zone of Historical Monuments by the then president Jose Lopez Portillobecoming the third largest of its kind in the country.
The buildings, many of which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, They not only represent a legacy of the past, but have found new functions as homes, businesses and cultural spaces.
“Mérida has an architectural wealth that spans different eras. From the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, built in the 16th centuryto more recent buildings such as the Palace of Music, each one reflects a stage in the history of the city,” explained the teacher in Cultural Marketing, Juan Carlos Duran Gomez.
Restoring and maintaining these historical monuments requires permits from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), which can generate tensions between the owners and the authorities.
Many owners of older properties are limited by conservation regulations. “Sometimes they buy a house without knowing that it is protected by the INAH, which prevents them from making changes to their liking,” he added. Duran Gomez.
The Canton Palace, one of the most emblematic buildings in Mérida, faces these challenges. In an interview with 24 HOURS Yucatanthe architect Bernardo Sarvide the First, The museum director, Sarvide Primo, stressed the complexity of maintaining a building that is more than a century old. “The climate and humidity of Mérida damage the structures, especially the plaster moldings and the wooden roofs,” said Sarvide Primo.
“This year, around four and a half million pesos will be invested in maintenance work,” he added.
LONG PROCESS: ARCHITECT
The restoration of mansions in Merida faces technical and economic challenges, since authorization procedures can be extend up to one year and costs range between 10 thousand and 20 thousand pesos per square meter.
Fernando Abreu Gracia, founder of the firm CENTRO arquitectos and specialist in property restoration explained that “the first thing to do is to verify if the property is within the area delimited by the INAH and once obtained, municipal approval is also required, which is valid for two years for construction.
The architect mentioned that, contrary to what many think, the Institute not only regulates the facade of the building, but also involves preserving the entire structure. “These old stone walls must be removed and then re-covered, which increases the costs considerably,” he acknowledged.
The architect pointed out that night labor is also a factor that increases costs. Because of the traffic in the center, those transporting materials or debris can only enter trucks after midnight or during restricted hours, which adds logistical and financial difficulties.
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2024-09-23 20:26:28