In the heart of Roma Norte stands Tonalá 20, an exceptional historic
mansion declared an Artistic Monument, bringing together more than a
century of history, architecture, art, and a scale that is increasingly hard to
find in the center of Mexico City.
Its rarity goes far beyond its beauty. Tonalá 20 was formally declared an
Artistic Monument through Agreement No. 380, becoming part of Mexico’s
protected artistic heritage. In a city with millions of homes, only an
extraordinarily small number of properties share this status, and many of
the most emblematic examples now belong to institutions, universities,
associations, or trusts and rarely reach the open market.
Tonalá 20 combines an exceptional set of circumstances: it is an Artistic
Monument, it remains in private ownership, it preserves a scale and state
of conservation that are difficult to replicate, it has an organized
documentary file, and today it is available for acquisition.
Its history is linked to singular figures of Mexico’s political, social, and
cultural life. Among them are Eduardo Iturbide Plancarte, politician,
financier, and governor of the Federal District during one of the decisive
moments of the Revolution; Carmen Romero Rubio, wife of Porfirio Díaz
and First Lady of Mexico for more than three decades; and Ernesto “El
Chango” García Cabral, one of the great Mexican illustrators and
caricaturists of the twentieth century. Tonalá 20 preserves a unique
decorative frieze attributed to Cabral, a graphic memory of a social circle
and a way of life.
The experience begins upon crossing its grand gate. The cantera stone
façade, the main staircase, the soaring ceilings, the woodwork, the library,
the succession of salons, the chandeliers, the fountain, and the garden
retain the presence of another era. Its 1,111.57 m2 of construction spread
across three truly livable levels on a 695.75 m2 lot.
Beginning in 2014, Tonalá 20 underwent a comprehensive restoration and
modernization, carried out with the corresponding authorizations and with
the guidance of the competent heritage authority (INBAL). Its historic
architecture was preserved while plumbing and hydropneumatic systems,
photovoltaic power generation, video surveillance, biometric access control
in main areas, a data and communications center, a cinema, and fully
equipped kitchens were discreetly incorporated.
The result is especially unusual for a heritage property: Tonalá 20 is
restored, updated, equipped, and turnkey.
Its scale and layout allow one to imagine different ways of using it. It can
continue as a grand private residence, but it also has the characteristics to
become (subject to applicable authorizations) a family office, private
headquarters, foundation, gallery, or cultural or institutional space.
Tonalá 20 cannot be explained solely by bedrooms, bathrooms, or square
meters. Its true value lies in the possibility of owning a heritage asset with
identity, presence, and a history that is impossible to reproduce.
Roma Norte is experiencing one of the most dynamic moments in its
contemporary history. Gastronomy, hospitality, galleries, design, culture,
and a growing international presence coexist with century-old architecture,
parks, and plazas. Tonalá 20 is very close to Reforma, Insurgentes,
financial corridors, government offices, diplomatic missions, hospitals, and
an extensive mobility network, yet it keeps the advantage of sitting on a
quieter, more discreet, human-scale street.
In the middle of everything, without feeling in the middle of everything.
