Mexico has more than 160 buildings ranging from 50 to 600 meters high; the next three years, the delivery of 11 more is expected
In the last 67 years, the average size of tall and super-tall buildings in Mexico has experienced a marked increase, especially since the first decade of the 2000s.
Between 1980 and 2010, the average size of the towers delivered per decade varied between 13% and 20%, while the average increase observed between 2010 and 2020 was 33%, according to data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
In contrast, buildings completed in the 2020-2023 period and projects planned until 2026 are expected to have a significant increase of more than 80% in height, according to an analysis by real estate services firm SiiLA.
So far, Mexico has more than 160 tall and super-tall buildings. These buildings have heights ranging from 50 to 600 meters. Over the next three years, 11 more are expected to be delivered, according to the CTBUH.
It is worth mentioning that during the last decade, Mexico has witnessed the rise of ten tall and super-tall buildings delivered per year, on average.
This demonstrates the rise of the verticalization of cities, especially in Mexico City and Nuevo León, which are in a race to build skyscrapers.
The northern state and the Mexican capital concentrate, respectively, 46% and 27% of this type of structure nationwide.
Currently, the title of the tallest building in the country and in Latin America falls to the T.Op Corporativo tower in Monterrey, with an altitude of 305 meters. According to SiiLA, this mixed-use development is class A+ and LEED Gold certified; however, it will be surpassed by the Rise Tower (475 meters) in Monterrey, whose delivery is projected for the year 2026.
“Skyscrapers epitomize power, economic capacity and technological advancement in constantly evolving modern cities. As space becomes scarce, verticality becomes an attractive solution to optimize available surface area,” the firm said.
Challenges of verticalization
Although the proliferation of tall and super-tall buildings solves some problems such as the expansion of the urban sprawl towards the peripheries, it also entails certain challenges, such as: urban planning, infrastructure, sustainability and environmental impact.
According to SiiLA, the future of these properties in the main cities of Mexico will depend on how these challenges are faced and if a balance is achieved between vertical growth, market demands, sustainability and quality of life.
“Improved local infrastructure, including transportation and water supply systems, is necessary to accommodate urban growth. Likewise, bureaucratic obstacles and obtaining permits can slow down projects, especially in seismic areas such as Central Mexico,” highlights the study.
High building density also impacts accessibility and mobility, creating more demand for transportation solutions and suitable public spaces.
Finally, visual impact, energy consumption, waste management, carbon footprint, and resource efficiency are important environmental concerns related to its construction.
“This will require review of local planning regulations and building codes. The sustainable and intelligent design of structures will become increasingly important. Without these components, buildings will lack investment attractiveness,” SiiLA concluded.
Source: El Economista
