History Condesa

1 history

1.1 origins
1.2 growth
1.3 gentrification
1.4 condesa today

history

park island in middle of avenida Ámsterdam


origins

the first owner of lands here maria de la campa y cos, countess of san mateo de valparaíso. married miguel de berrio y zaldívar ortíz de landáuzari, later acquire title of marquis of jaral de berrio. union produced daughter, ana maría de berrio y campa, married pedro de moncada y de aragón branciforte. union produced both marchioness of san roman , 3rd marquis of jaral de berrio. family owned these rather large expanses of land in western mexico city until second half of 19th century. horse estate served model 1 part of statue of carlos v done manuel tolsá. when last of direct descendents of couple died, land divided , of acquired new owner, maría magdalena dávalos de bracamontes y orozco, countess of miravalle. converted property hacienda manor house still exists. neighborhood named after countess. lands of hacienda extended on colonia roma, colonia condesa, colonia hipódromo , part of tacubaya. @ end of 19th century, property passed hands of dolores escandón y arango. hacienda manor rented , today serves russian embassy.

the colonia officially established in 1902, although had been in existence time before that, being home number of upper-class urban supporters of president porfirio díaz’s regime. beginning has had 1 of best planned infrastructures, large parks , large tree-lined avenues. around time, private race track operated sociedad del jockey club mexicano, used automobile racing horse racing, , inaugurated diaz himself in 1910. second planned never built. when mexican revolution broke out, many in neighborhood under siege lower classes , horse track closed. today, curve of track can still seen in layout of avenida amsterdam.

around same time bullring built, financed notable people such lucas alamán , called el toreo. built materials brought belgium , located on durango street, avenida oaxaca, salamanca, valladolid , colima street capacity of 23,000 spectators. of site occupied palacio de hierro department store.

from 20th century, land further divided sold residential units, water, roads , other infrastructure introduced first decade of 20th century. of former hacienda developed residential areas 1920s. initially, colonia condesa included areas known colonia roma sur, colonia hipódromo , colonia hipódromo condesa, these defined separate colonias later population increased.

growth

for first 2 thirds of 20th century, colonia grew, becoming popular middle , upper classes number of foreigners. many of these earlier residents had artistic bent, such agustín lara, composer of romantic ballads, flamenco dancer pilar rioja , painter juan soriano. cantínflas, famous mexican film comedian had offices here. in 1920s, large wave of jewish immigrants mexico, ashkenazis eastern europe settled in city, many in colonia. opened synagogues, community centers, kosher shops , bakeries. there significant number of spanish refugees spanish civil war . of give neighborhood urbane , cosmopolitan reputation.

in first half of 20th century, tradition here go every sunday la coronación church on corner of antonio solá , parque españa hear mass. after, 1 walked along fernando montes de oca street cuautla street eat @ “el tío luis,” oldest , traditional of area’s restaurants. said meeting place of bullfighters, businessmen, cattlemen , bullfighting fans nearby plaza de toros condesa. other traditional establishments roxy ice cream place , la gran vía , la panadería bakeries. bella Época movie theater used called lido.there used pulquería named la carioca. there prostitution in old days of these women known around neighborhood working names such la chimuela, la tejocota, la lupona , la caperuza. many of older residents remember area “paradise” without pollution, traffic congestion or crime.

by 1970s, younger mexican-born generations of these immigrants began leave condesa other, more fashionable neighborhoods such polanco, or mid-century neighbohoods colonia del valle , colonia nápoles. however, 1985 mexico city earthquake had devastating impact on condesa , roma. damaged physically, , proximity heavily damaged colonia roma accelerated ongoing process of abandonment in 1980s. rents in area fell , many buildings abandoned , 2 major parks in area, parque méxico , parque españa became dangerous. families remained founded colonia , without money leave.

gentrification

the low rents , wide spaces attracted new generation of young people area came live. other came , installed offices, employees need places eat , parking facilities. created large demand restaurants originally, number , quality of restaurants limited. many of these specialized in “mittle” or european food. new restaurants appeared , competed business , overall reputation quality grew. young people , restaurants attracted bars , nightclubs area. of restaurants today located avenida mazatlán insurgentes , on alfonso reyes juan escutia , estimated @ 120. newer restaurants introduced new element dining in condesa, tables set out on sidewalk, rarity late 1990s. however, given mexico city’s mild climate, concept instant success. these restaurant tend more informal , cater younger crowds more noise , music traditional venues , decorated local artwork.

the influx of new people , business brought in negative elements such parking problems, trash, transients, noise, crime , overload of areas drainage , other infrastructure. created demand street food stalls, never existed in area before , bother old-time residents. on years, many of buildings’ uses changed without regulation put strains on drainage, electrical system , water in places.

older residents complain of noise, street congestion, drugs , prostitution. recent drive allow bars stay open later rejected residents, , there demands review licenses of establishments generate noise , around crimes have happened. complaint associated these bars invasion of customers’ cars private parking spaces. residents claim visibly armed guards , patrons can seen in area day or night.

condesa today

anonymous flyers distributed in colonia threatening exterminate stray dogs in neighborhood. 1 of reasons given threat amount of feces found on neighborhood streets.

the area affected 2017 mexico city earthquake 2 major collapsed buildings rescue efforts continued day , night several days, @ Álvaro obregón 286 , @ corner of amsterdam , laredo, while other buildings in danger of collapse evacuated.