Page 28 - RLI June 2019

DeSign PrOfile | MAC ARCHITECTS & CONSULTANTS

Offering integral “We are the only architectural

firm in latin america With an
SOlutiOnS extensive and very Well
recognised area of market
research and strategic planning”

Operating in the markets of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, MAC Architects

& Consultants is an experienced team that has delivered designs to more than 1,200
architecture projects and has been involved in the planning of nearly 500 real estate and
commercial projects. Here, RLI sits down with President Gonzalo Montaño and Director
Juan Ignacio Rodriguez to discuss the history of the firm and what comes next.

eing the oldest architecture and real estate professional In recent years the business has been committed to The company’s long experience in the Latin American for retailers looking to expand their presence in the area,
services company in Mexico and as they celebrate designing projects that truly help improve the physical and social market has allowed them to meet important representatives therefore the company is reinforcing its interest and vision
their 70th anniversary, MAC Architects & Consultants environment in which they are located, such as Plaza Nativa in of the real estate industry in the region. Its practice of in these markets.
B is strengthening its divisions, offering a comprehensive the city of Monterrey, or Patio Claveria in Mexico City. consulting and developing projects has substantially So what would the directors say are the group’s strengths
consultancy service and extensive advice on all projects in which “Both of these centres have about 10,000sq m of GLA and supported its architecture arm and kept them in close and what have been the key drivers behind the success
they participate in Mexico, Central and South America. are located in the heart of very traditional neighbourhoods in relationships with developers, investors, brokers and retailers. they’ve had to date?
“We are not exclusively architects,” explains MAC Architects the two largest Mexican cities. These shopping centres have They work with national and international companies “We have always sought to offer integral solutions to our
& Consultants President Gonzalo Montaño. “We are the only become the preferred recreational and meeting place for with a presence in the region, or those seeking development clients, which is why in the last 20 years we have managed
architectural firm in Latin America with an extensive and families in their surrounding areas, and have in the first instance opportunities in new markets. One example of this is IKEA, to strengthen our presence in the market both through
very well recognised area of market research and strategic revived and on the second instance improved the urban and which have recently announced the opening of its first store architecture and real estate planning,” says Montaño.
planning, which has allowed us to learn, detect and thoroughly social activity of their neighbourhoods,” explains Montaño. in Mexico, and whom MAC has worked with for several “We are also convinced that a great project is only
understand the needs of any market allowing us to solve our Currently they are developing several mixed-use projects, years. Another example is Sodimac, a Chilean company that resolved with the participation of all parties, so listening
clients’ projects in the best and most profitable way.” such as one in the El Bajío region in Mexico, in which they is specialised in home and hardware stores that has already and taking care of the needs of our clients is essential as
Juan Ignacio Rodriguez, Director adds: “No matter the are integrating 140,000sq m for commercial, office and opened three stores in Mexico as part of a multi-store project. well as adequately responding to market requirements and
geography, our work methodology allows us to understand residential use in a very central location which is home to Montaño and Rodríguez both feel that, considering the integrating the best team of consultants for each project,”
the public and guide our designs to create spaces according two million people. size of the economy, the demographic potential and the adds Rodriguez.
to their needs, their budgets and their unique characteristics.” “Another of our new projects is located in a mostly company’s origin, Mexico continues, for the business, to be The goal for the company in the future is to capitalise on
In the past 12 months the company has been reassessing residential suburb of Mexico City where we are proposing the main market in the region. However, when considering the first 70 years of the firm, migrate to a third generation
its team of collaborators, choosing to integrate new young a new shopping centre within a mixed-use project, with its deep similarities and the recent development of a new of leadership and position themselves as one of the most
professionals with a team of extensively experienced specialists, 80,000sq m of leasable area with a large proportion of profit global shopping centre industry, Central and South America important architecture and real estate planning firms in
as well as returning to a couple of service areas which they and non-profit open spaces oriented to leisure, walking and clearly represent important business opportunities for Latin America.
underestimated a decade ago due to diverse market conditions. entertainment,” says Rodriguez. both MAC and potential investors in the sector as well as www.macarquitectos.com.mx

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