Tonala 20

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.