Antonio Rivas Mercado

Who was Antonio Rivas Mercado?

Antonio Rivas Mercado was a Mexican architect, engineer and restorer. His most notable project was the design of the Independence Column in downtown Mexico City. He was father of Antonieta Rivas Mercado.

Rivas Mercado was born in Tepic in the then Territory of Nayarit, but his parents decided to send him to study in Europe at the age of 10. Eventually, he studied Fine Arts and Architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, France from where he returned to Mexico City in 1879 to practise as an architect and teach at the Schools of Engineering and Architecture.

Among his various projects figure the house that eventually became the Wax Museum of Mexico City; the restoration of Haciendas of historical importance such as the Hacienda of Tecajete in the State of Hidalgo, and Chapingo in the State of Mexico; the customs building in Tlatelolco,; the restoration of several government buildings including the facade of the Town Hall in Mexico City; and his own house in Mexico City, now preserved as a historical building.

The Teatro Juárez in Guanajuato, which he built between 1892 and 1903, is considered to be one of the finest buildings of the period.