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Mirador Torre Latinoamericana
The 44th-floor observation deck of the 1956 Torre Latinoamericana, a pioneering earthquake-resistant skyscraper with views over Bellas Artes and the historic centre.
At a glance
- Type
- Observation deck
- Area
- Centro Histórico, Mexico City, Mexico
- Official site
- miradorlatino.com
Good to know
- Observation deck
- Museum
- Restaurant
Why we recommend it
The Torre Latinoamericana was the first great skyscraper of modern Mexico City, and its observation deck remains the easiest way to see the historic centre from above. Designed by the architect Augusto H. Álvarez and opened on 30 April 1956, the tower is 166 metres high, or 182 metres to the tip of its antenna, with 44 floors. It stands on the corner of Eje Central and Madero, right at the meeting point of the old centre and the Alameda.
What made the tower famous was its engineering. Mexico City sits on soft, waterlogged lakebed and is regularly hit by earthquakes, so the engineers, led by Leonardo and Adolfo Zeevaert with the American consultant Nathan Newmark, used deep piles and a steel frame. The building came through the magnitude 7.9 earthquake of 1957 and the magnitude 8.1 earthquake of 19 September 1985 without problems, and the city's tourism office describes it as the first skyscraper built in a seismic zone. A site museum was created for the tower's 50th anniversary in 2006.
The public observation deck is on the 44th floor, and Wikipedia describes it as the highest in Mexico City. The tower's position, right beside the Palacio de Bellas Artes, means you look down on the palace and over the rooftops of the historic centre. The tower also houses the Museo del Bicentenario and a restaurant, Miralto, for those who want to linger over a drink or meal with the view.
Views depend on the weather and air quality, so pick a clear day if you can. Allow an hour, including time in the museum. Opening times and ticket details are set by the Mirador, so check its website before you go. If you plan to eat at Miralto, check its booking details as well.
The entrance is on Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas. Nearby you will find the Edificio Guardiola and the Centro Cultural El Rule, and the Palacio de Bellas Artes and Palacio de Iturbide are a short walk away. A visit here fits easily into a day exploring the historic centre on foot, and the view helps you understand the layout of the streets you have just walked.
Mirador Torre Latinoamericana FAQs
Which floor is the observation deck on?
The public observation deck is on the 44th floor of the tower.
How tall is the Torre Latinoamericana?
It is 166 metres high, or 182 metres to the tip, with 44 floors.
When was it built?
Construction ran from the late 1940s and the tower opened on 30 April 1956.
Has it survived earthquakes?
Yes. It withstood the 1957 earthquake and the magnitude 8.1 earthquake of 19 September 1985 without problems.
What else is in the tower?
The Museo del Bicentenario and the Miralto restaurant.
When is the best time to go?
On a clear day, since the view depends on the weather and air quality.
Where can I check opening times?
On the Mirador Torre Latinoamericana website, miradorlatino.com.
Who designed the tower?
The architect Augusto H. Álvarez, with engineers Leonardo and Adolfo Zeevaert.