In the heart of Mexico City, Vía 515 by Migdal Arquitectos is a bold response to the challenges and opportunities of urban development. This mixed-use complex is a vibrant hub for commerce, hospitality, and business, situated between the bustling airport and the historic center. The project embodies innovative architectural and engineering solutions, making it an inspiring case study for architects and urban planners facing similar geotechnical and urban constraints.
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Vía 515 Technical Information
- Architects: Migdal Arquitectos
- Location: Mexico City, Mexico
- Area: 106,000 m2 | 1,140,970 Sq. Ft.
- Completion Year: 2020
- Photographs: © Rafael Gamo
The facade of the hotel is composed of copper-colored aluminum panels, each uniquely designed with specific dimensions and shapes. Together, they reinterpret the topography of the geovolcanic transverse axis of the Valley of Mexico, while also serving to filter direct sunlight into the hotel rooms.
– Migdal Arquitectos
Vía 515 Photographs
Context and Urban Integration
Vía 515 occupies a unique position at the intersection of Mexico City’s cultural, economic, and logistical networks. Situated between the city’s airport and downtown, it meets a dynamic flow of residents, visitors, and professionals. This multifunctional complex comprises three main volumes: a three-story shopping center along the Viaducto Miguel Alemán, an eight-story hotel atop the retail area, and a twelve-story office building positioned on Añil Street. Each component reflects careful consideration of the site’s urban needs and maximizes its potential as a key transit point.
The project’s layout responds to Mexico City’s dense, high-traffic environment, addressing accessibility and functional zoning. The shopping mall’s U-shaped layout and central atrium create a welcoming public space that can manage heavy foot traffic while maintaining openness. The elevated hotel volume maximizes spatial efficiency by utilizing the retail roof as a rooftop garden and terrace, further enhancing Vía 515’s multifunctionality and appeal within the bustling urban landscape.
Architectural Composition and Aesthetic Concept
Vía 515 presents a unique blend of volumes, each tailored to its function while collectively contributing to a cohesive visual identity. The U-shaped shopping mall embraces a central atrium covered by a translucent roof, which draws in natural light and provides visitors with an inviting, dynamic space. The hotel’s copper-colored aluminum facade is a standout feature, paying homage to the Valley of Mexico’s geovolcanic landscape. This cladding combines aesthetics with purpose, softening natural light for guest comfort and crafting a memorable profile against the skyline.
The design team prioritized light management across Vía 515’s varied spaces. The shopping center’s glass facade and central translucent roof allow natural light to permeate the space, reducing the need for artificial lighting and creating a pleasant ambiance throughout the day. The hotel’s facade, composed of uniquely shaped copper aluminum panels, reinterprets Mexico’s natural topography and serves as a light-filtering system. The controlled light entry enhances the guest experience and complements the noise reduction from the recessed building position over 40 meters from the bustling Viaducto.
Structural Strategy and Challenges of the Lacustrine Soil
Built on Mexico City’s notoriously soft, lacustrine soil, Vía 515 required a robust structural solution to ensure stability. The foundation system combines two-meter-thick slabs with deep-set pilings, forming a base that supports the complex’s weight and prevents differential settlement, a common issue in the area. One of the largest concrete pours in Mexico—3,000 cubic meters—was used for this project, underscoring the engineering commitment to durability and resilience.
The structural approach at Vía 515 is an exemplary response to Mexico City’s geotechnical challenges. The foundation offsets soil movement and maintains stability across the three interconnected volumes with innovative piling and reinforcement. This structural system reflects the potential of contemporary engineering to address site-specific needs while allowing architectural creativity to flourish. Architects and engineers alike can draw lessons from Vía 515’s solution to the soil conditions, which deftly balances form and function under demanding circumstances.
Sustainability, Connectivity, and Urban Impact
Vía 515 also incorporates sustainable design features that cater to the community’s evolving needs. Recognizing the importance of eco-friendly transportation, the complex includes a large bicycle parking facility on the ground floor, with space for 345 bicycles, providing a nod to the popularity of cycling in the area. The rooftop garden atop the shopping center serves functional and aesthetic roles, enhancing urban biodiversity while offering guests a relaxing green space.
Connecting the retail and office volumes are two interior streets that enhance the complex’s cohesion and accessibility, serving as both vehicular and pedestrian paths. These streets create a circuit connecting Vía 515’s public spaces to its underground parking and service areas. The arrangement invites residents and visitors alike to engage with the complex’s spaces and emphasizes Vía 515’s role as an accessible, community-oriented hub.
Vía 515 Plans
Vía 515 Image Gallery
About Migdal Arquitectos
Founded in 1989 by Jaime Varon and Abraham Metta, with Alex Metta joining in 1998, Migdal Arquitectos is a prominent Mexico City-based firm specializing in impactful, multidisciplinary architectural projects. The firm’s comprehensive services span design, engineering, construction management, and quality control, with a portfolio that includes social housing, office towers, commercial centers, and iconic cultural buildings like the Gota de Plata Auditorium in Pachuca. Dedicated to creating spaces that blend artistic, technical, and social values, Migdal Arquitectos is known for its socially responsible approach and commitment to enhancing urban environments.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Design Team: Jaime Varon, Abraham Metta, Alex Metta
