Renowned performance artist Marina Abramović attends the revival of Luis Barragán’s iconic La Cuadra San Cristóbal, a masterpiece reborn as a cultural landmark.
La Cuadra San Cristóbal, one of Mexican architect Luis Barragán’s most inspiring masterpieces, has reopened its gates after decades of private ownership and limited access.
The stunning equestrian estate, situated just forty minutes north of Mexico City’s center, is a living pictorial composition that seamlessly blends empty space, architecture, and nature.
A Legacy Reborn
The estate was recently acquired by Fundación Fernando Romero, with the architect and philanthropist purchasing the property to preserve Barragán’s architectural vision. Romero’s commitment to protecting the property for life is evident in his plans to transform it into a dynamic cultural platform that celebrates Barragán’s genius.
Fernando Romero is a Spanish architect and designer.
He is best known for his work on the Torre CDM, a skyscraper in Mexico City.
Romero's designs often blend modernist and traditional elements, creating unique architectural styles.
Born in 1962 in Madrid, Spain, he studied architecture at the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
Romero has received numerous awards for his innovative designs, including several International Design Awards.
A Visionary’s Inspiration
Fernando Romero has always been inspired by Luis Barragán’s work, even as a young architecture student in Mexico City. He recalls visiting Barragán’s masterpieces and being struck by the architect’s perfection in composition, proportions, and color, as well as his ability to balance imperfection with possibility. This experience had a profound impact on Romero, shaping his own approach to architecture.
La Cuadra San Cristóbal: A Cultural Landmark
The estate will soon become a cultural landmark, hosting exhibitions, artist residencies, and events that continue the conversation between art and architecture. The first exhibition, curated by Jorge Covarrubias, will showcase twenty of Barragán’s most memorable projects across Mexico, providing an in-depth exploration of eight major works.
A Vibrant Cultural Center
Romero’s vision for La Cuadra San Cristóbal extends beyond celebrating Barragán’s legacy. He aims to transform the estate into a vibrant cultural center that invites contemporary artists for residencies and hosts exhibitions that explore the relationship between art and architecture. The site will feature multiple exhibition spaces, an artist residency program, a library, and even a podcast production studio.
A New Era for La Cuadra
The reopening of La Cuadra San Cristóbal marks the beginning of a new era for this historic site. With Fernando Romero at the helm, the estate is poised to become a transformative cultural destination within Mexico City’s already rich and vibrant art scene. The first Artist Experience, featuring a powerful intervention by Marina Abramović, was a fitting opening gesture for the new program.
A Legacy that Continues to Inspire
La Cuadra San Cristóbal’s rebirth is not only a testament to Fernando Romero’s commitment to preserving Barragán’s legacy but also a celebration of the architect’s continued influence on contemporary art and architecture. As Romero himself notes, ‘Artists have a passion for architecture, despite working in completely different fields.’ This symbiotic relationship between art and architecture is at the heart of La Cuadra San Cristóbal’s new mission to inspire future generations of artists and architects.
Luis Barragán was a Mexican architect, painter, and landscape designer.
Born in 1902, he is best known for his modernist and surrealist architectural style.
Barragán's designs often incorporated vibrant colors, natural materials, and symbolic motifs.
He is famous for designing the iconic Chapel of the Capuchinas in Mexico City.
Throughout his career, Barragán received numerous awards, including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 1980.
The estate will formally open to the public in October of this year, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its life. With its stunning equestrian estate, exhibitions, artist residencies, and events, La Cuadra San Cristóbal is poised to become a cultural landmark that continues to inspire and delight audiences for years to come.
