El Palacio de Hierro

When it opened its doors, "El Palacio de Hierro" was considered the most modern establishment of its kind. The creation of "El Palacio de Hierro" was the result of an association of French merchants at the end of the 19th century, inspired by the organization and construction of the first Parisian department stores created by Aristide Boucicaut in 1852. In 1888 they built a five-story building that was completed in 1891. They decided to call it "El Palacio de Hierro", for being the first establishment in Mexico City built in steel and iron.

The inauguration of the building was described as a historical architectural turning point for the city. The building underwent numerous additions in the early 20th century before a fire destroyed it in 1914. The new building was completed in 1921 and was made of reinforced concrete. 

Did you know that the... 
"El Palacio de Hierro", voted in June 2012 as one of the most popular businesses in México, also hides a little known history, that of French immigrants in México, specifically from the region of "Barcelonnette", in the Southern Alps.