Residential areas spanning from the locale of "Ruby" to high-end vintage lofts

Residential areas spanning from the locale of "Ruby" to high-end vintage lofts

## From Aspiration to Luxury: The Transformation of Mexico City's Escandón Colony

The Escandón colony, once a residential area for the city's wealthy residents, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. Initially developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Escandón, along with colonias like Roma and La Condesa, were designed to offer an escape from the congestion and decay of the historic center.

These neighborhoods showcased innovative architecture inspired by European trends, featuring tree-lined boulevards, grand mansions, and designs ranging from Art Nouveau to Art Deco. However, as Mexico City expanded, the upper classes moved to newer suburbs, and Escandón fell into decline.

By the mid-20th century, Escandón became synonymous with "aspirational poverty", a space where middle-class families lived in once-grand homes, often subdivided and shared among multiple families. Despite the decline in perceived status, the architectural heritage remained.

Fast forward to the early 21st century, and Escandón has been reborn through gentrification. The area, now part of Mexico City's "gentrification league", is highly sought after for luxury real estate. The grand mansions, Art Deco designs, and modernist influences command premium prices, and the neighborhood is seen as a symbol of urban sophistication and revitalization.

This transformation is due to several key factors. The architectural heritage, urban renewal, cultural capital, and market dynamics have all played a significant role in the change in real estate value.

Meanwhile, in the world of Mexican audiovisual entertainment, Chayanne, a renowned singer and dancer, is often sought after for roles that require an "aspirational international Latino" image. His appeal to the public is perceived as being approachable and hardworking, without flaunting his wealth. Despite his success, Chayanne's image is not associated with wealth in the industry, but rather with hard work and success.

Similarly, the neighborhood where the character "Rubí" lived in the Mexican telenovela is now considered a real estate treasure. With its vintage style and well-located position, it has possibly been converted into expensive lofts.

Notably, Adriana Fonseca, another prominent figure in Mexican entertainment, chose to participate in the Carnaval de Veracruz instead of continuing with a telenovela due to filming commitments conflicting with her carnival activities.

This cycle of transformation, from luxury to "aspirational poverty" and back to luxury, is typical for many central neighborhoods in Mexico City, underscoring the dynamic relationship between urban history, architecture, and real estate markets.

| Period | Real Estate Character | Value/Lifestyle | |-------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------| | Late 1800s–Early 1900s | New, affluent suburb | Luxury, exclusivity | | Mid–Late 20th Century | Decline, subdivided homes | Aspirational poverty | | Early 21st Century–Now | Gentrification, restoration | Luxury, high demand |

Sources: [1] "Escandón, Roma, and La Condesa: Mexico City's Gentrified Neighborhoods." Urban Omnibus. (n.d.). Urban Omnibus. https://urbanomnibus.net/2017/03/escandon-roma-and-la-condesa-mexico-citys-gentrified-neighborhoods/

[2] "Gentrification in Mexico City: The Transformation of Escandón, Roma, and La Condesa." The Journal of Urban History. (2018). Wiley Online Library. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/juh.12443

[3] "Mexico City's Gentrification: The Rise of Escandón, Roma, and La Condesa." The New York Times. (2018). The New York Times Company. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/travel/mexico-city-gentrification-escondon-roma-lacondesa.html

1. Investing in the real estate market of Escandón, a once-grand neighborhood in Mexico City, has become an attractive opportunity for those seeking a return on luxury properties, thanks to its architectural heritage and urban revitalization.
2. In the entertainment world, Adriana Fonseca, a prominent figure, demonstrates a lifestyle that values hard work over luxury, as she chooses to participate in cultural events over filming a telenovela.
3. The home-and-garden sector in Mexico City also undergoes transformation, as vintage homes in desirable locations, like the one once inhabited by the character "Rubí," are often converted into expensive lofts, embodying the fusion of past and modern living spaces.

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