House of the Count De la Torre Cosío y la Cortina, Mexico City

The House of the Count De la Torre Cosio y la Cortina is a three-story structure on Republica de Uruguay Street in Mexico City's historic center, with a symmetrical facade built from red tezontle stone and gray chiluca frames. The building displays carved stone ornaments and decorative details that add visual depth to its exterior surfaces.

Construction began in 1781 to serve as a residence for a noble family whose patriarch had received his title from the Spanish crown. The building was designated a national monument in 1931, officially recognizing its importance to the city's colonial heritage.

The carved stone ornaments and decorative motifs visible on the facade tell of the wealth and position that the family held in colonial society. These details remain visible to visitors today and help convey how prominent families displayed their status through architecture.

The building sits in a busy section of the historic center, making it accessible from surrounding streets. Note that the 20 de Noviembre Avenue nearby has shaped the area around it over time.

The structure features unusual decorative elements shaped like cannons that sit above the entrance, a distinctive touch reflecting the original owner's military background. This weaponlike ornamentation is rare in colonial architecture and catches the eye of visitors.