Rendering showing view of building elevation from the north-west.

The United States and Mexico have a consequential bilateral relationship, directly impacting the everyday lives of millions of U.S. and Mexican citizens, whether through trade, joint security, or tourism. Within similar timeframes, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations has undertaken five major builds across Mexico: four new consulate facilities in Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Merida, and Nogales, and a new embassy in Mexico City. Among the Mission Mexico new facilities, the new embassy complex in Mexico City is an important physical representation of the long-term commitment to the U.S.- Mexico relationship and a permanent presence. 

In 1961, the United States established its first embassy in Mexico City, highlighting the strategic importance of its location in one of the world’s largest and most populous cities. As the political and economic capital of Mexico, Mexico City served as a crucial hub for diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The new embassy’s surrounding neighborhood has witnessed rapid development, characterized by residential, mixed-use, shopping, museum, and cultural facilities. This growth reflects the dynamism of Mexico City as it continues to evolve as a vibrant metropolis.  

Project Overview

Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects / Davis Brody Bond Architects

Architect

Caddell Construction

General Contractor

8.5 acres

Site Size

$943 million

Project Budget

$310 million

Estimated Local Investment

Focused on site-specific solutions that respond to the local culture, the new embassy design 
accommodates Mission Mexico’s current and future space needs.

With over 530,000 square feet of space, the new embassy consolidates diplomatic operations that have been at disparate locations throughout Mexico City. The brownfield site, previously industrial land occupied by a Colgate-Palmolive factory, has been safely remediated for reuse

Rendering of consular entry at the new U.S. embassy in Mexico City.

Design

OBO embassies and consulates often are the first experience host country citizens and government officials have with the United States overseas and the new embassy is designed to streamline the flow of visitors with an expanded consular space including 81 consular windows.

To ease traffic impact, the complex features discrete entrances for various functions. To the north, one entrance accommodates the large number of consular visitors and another welcomes visitors to the Benjamin Franklin Center. The design allows visitors to enter the campus to wait for appointments in the plaza or waiting rooms. 

The building’s seven floors include two below-grade levels that balance its size without sacrificing usable space. These floors take advantage of sunken courtyards that provide views to nature and plentiful natural light.

Designed around a large, semi-covered, open-air courtyard, the embassy’s extensive outdoor space enhances opportunities for events and collaboration. 

By incorporating the Benjamin Franklin Center on-site, the embassy has a flexible programming space to conduct a broad range of public engagement activities that will enhance connections between the United States and Mexico. 

  

Interior rendering of consular waiting area at the new U.S. embassy Mexico City.

Construction

An estimated total work force of 2,500 U.S., Mexican and third-country nationals were engaged in the construction of the new embassy of which 1,800 will be local. Nearly 225 million USD was spent locally on materials and service related to the project’s construction. 

Rendering of the main exterior courtyard at the new U.S. embassy Mexico City.

Rendering of the interior courtyard at the new U.S. embassy in Mexico City

Sustainability

The new complex incorporates rigorous sustainability and energy-saving goals to reduce environmental impact, optimize building performance, and enhance resiliency.  

A strong emphasis was placed on water–use reduction and re-use to protect the city’s endangered groundwater aquifer. Not only is all rainwater harvested and stored on site, but the facility is also connected to the municipal reclaimed water system to support the building’s cooling system, irrigation, and toilet flushing. Large, underground storage tanks collect rainwater or fresh, treated water to guarantee a constant flow of water regardless of season. Local species adapted to the city’s climate and the seasonal rainfalls are planted throughout. Solar panels can produce over ten percent of power needs.  

The project is registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) green building rating system and is projected to earn LEED® Gold certification.