A Noteworthy Street

Donceles Street in Mexico's City's historic center is a couple blocks from the typical tourist route.  The neighborhood is a bit run-down but still has much noteworthy architecture.  It is like a once grand lady who is now living in genteel poverty.  

I think that this building suffered some damage in the earthquake.

The last time that I was walking along this street, I noticed the wide variety of architectural styles, and I thought that it deserves to be photographed.  Some of the buildings are still beautifully maintained; others are a shadow of their former grandeur.  One can imagine what a grand street it must have been a century ago.

This imposing building was the Chamber of Deputies, the equivalent to our House of Representatives, from 1911 until 1982.  It was inaugurated just before the dictator Porfirio 

Díaz was swept out of power by the Mexican Revolution.  In 1982 the Chamber of Deputies moved to its new Legislative Palace.  The building is now used by the Legislative Assembly of Mexico City (their city council).

Right next-door is another beautiful building from the same era, the City Theater.  It opened in 1918, and it still in use.  I noticed signs posted on the doors, and I feared that it might have been condemned after the earthquake.  Fortunately, the signs said that the building had been deemed structurally sound and safe for occupancy.  

Right across the street is a colonial building dating from 1700.  A historical plaque said that was originally a hospital for demented women.

This art deco building must have been the height of modern chic when it was built.

The side of this colonial palace faces Donceles Street.  I now houses the Historical Archives of Mexico City.

This building is too tall for the colonial era.  I suspect that it was built in the late 1800s or early 1900s in a neo-colonial style.  The designs on the façade and the corner niche with a religious statue are typical of colonial architecture.

This colonial building now has a pizzeria in the courtyard.

Imagine what an elegant house this must have been when it was built in 1902.

The Church of "La Enseñanza" dates from 1778, and is an example of the Churrigueresque or ultra-baroque style that was popular in colonial Mexico.  It is one of the best and one of the latest examples of baroque architecture in Mexico City.  The neo-classical style was soon to take its place.

What an architectural treasure trove on just this one street!