Plans Unveiled for Zaha Hadid-Designed Residential Community in Monterrey

By Ioana Neamt, Associate Editor

Mexico—Acclaimed Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid has designed a massive residential community planned for Monterrey. Renderings of a 981-unit apartment community in the Huajuco Canyon have recently been released, revealing a modern and sustainable project to be completed in three distinct phases.

Esfera City Center is one of the largest mixed-use projects in Mexico, comprising a mix of residential, retail, hospitality and office space on a 45-acre site. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in 2018.

The project’s main component is a nine-story, high-density residential community designed by Hadid that comprises approximately 1.5 million square feet of space. The building will feature a “U”-shaped design that surrounds an extensive public park at its center, and will integrate elements of pre-Columbian, colonial and contemporary Mexican architecture.

The 981-unit apartment community will integrate a number of green features and is aiming for LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The community will incorporate multiple common areas, among which a central park to feature a clubhouse and café, exercise room, playground, as well as an amphitheater for special events. The modern residential building will also integrate the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concept; interconnected public areas will provide safety for community residents.

Hadid’s residential project will feature single-person lofts, as well as one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom apartments.

Esfera City Center is being developed by Organizacion Ramirez through its real estate operator, Citelis. BUDIC is the local architect working on the project, while Escala handles project management.

Monterrey is currently the third largest city in Mexico and an important business, manufacturing and IT center.

Rendering courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects