Legislative Palace of San Lázaro


The Legislative Palace of San Lázaro is the main seat of the legislative power of the Mexican government, being the permanent meeting place of the Chamber of Deputies, as well as the seat of the whole Congress of the Union, when the Chamber of Deputies convenes in conjunction with the Senate of the Republic. Built in the late 20th century after a 1977 political reform, the complex is located in Mexico City about a mile east of the Zócalo central square, in the Venustiano Carranza borough or district, next to the Palace of Federal Justice. The complex draws its name from its location, as the San Lázaro Railway Station was the former occupant of the grounds where the palace was built.

History, architecture and restoration

After the Mexican political reform of 1977, the number of deputies of the Chamber passed from 186 to 400, and thus, it was impossible for them to convene in the former meeting place, then known as the Legislative Palace of Donceles, which is now occupied by the Legislative Assembly of the Federal District. Thereupon, construction on a new seat of the Legislative began as a part of a plan of urban restructuring of the sector where the San Lázaro Station was located, on the limit of the Venustiano Carranza and Cuauhtémoc boroughs. Also on the property was built a new Palace of Federal Justice for the functions of the Judiciary branch of the government.
The project, which was promoted by former president José López Portillo, was a faction of a massive development and public works program of the government, resulting from a Mexican petroleum boom. Construction began in September 1979, following the plans of architects Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, Jorge Campuzano, and David Suárez.
The grounds were formally inaugurated on 1 September 1981 as a part of the 5th Government Report of López Portillo, and officially at the installation of the deputies and senators of the LI Legislature of the Congress of the Union.
The building was severely damaged after a fire in 1989, and President of Mexico Carlos Salinas de Gortari had it restored by Mexican architect Manuel De Santiago-of Bourbon González Bravo, a renowned member of ICOMOS.