Located in the heart of Mérida’s historic Mejorada neighborhood, Casa Amate 61 is a boutique hotel and hostel designed to offer exclusive experiences that celebrate the culture, gastronomy, and art of Mexico’s southeast.
The concept draws inspiration from the Art Deco style, prominent in the 1920s and 1940s—decades to which the original property dates back. Architect Fernando García and interior designer Steisy Echeverría reinterpreted the geometric precision and elegance of Art Deco through a contemporary Mexican lens, incorporating symmetrical patterns, moldings, window shapes, and celosías (lattice screens).
The intervention centers around two courtyards, originally part of the property. The first courtyard marks the transition from the restored preexisting structure to the new intervention, serving as the reception and lobby for the restaurant and hostel. The second courtyard is designed to offer comfort, climate control, and acoustic and lighting benefits—creating an atmosphere of harmony and serenity that invites guests to connect on a deeper level.
A key architectural feature is the celosía, which defines the identity of the project. This lattice structure provides natural ventilation, visual appeal, and protection throughout the main circulation areas.
The interior design follows the same Art Deco inspiration, characterized by clean geometry and elegance, balanced with the warmth of local materials. A soft pink color palette—an interpretation of the traditional “rosa mexicano”—adds vibrancy and emotional depth. Locally sourced materials such as Tzalam and cedar wood, eco-friendly bamboo, petatillo textiles, and handwoven artisan fabrics ground the interiors in regional culture.
Casa Amate 61 offers a sensorial experience that seamlessly blends modern sophistication with traditional Mexican heritage, resulting in a warm, culturally rich environment that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Team:
Architect: OWN & Fernando García
Interior Designer: Steisy Echeverría
Materials Used:
Facade cladding: Local finishes with Art Deco-inspired moldings and celosías
Flooring: Cement tiles (likely handmade, typical of regional architecture)
Doors: Custom woodwork in cedar and Tzalam
Windows: Reinterpreted Art Deco shapes with wooden frames
Interior lighting: Ambient lighting integrated with natural elements
Interior furniture: Custom pieces using eco bamboo, petatillo, artisan textiles, Tzalam and cedar woods
