SOM collaborates with Estudio AMA and Esrawe Studio on Legend, a new tower in Guadalajara, Mexico. 

An international team of architects will deliver a striking new addition to the Guadalajara skyline, Legend. The 190-meter-tall, mixed-use tower—slated to be the tallest building in the Andares Zapopan district—broke ground on Friday, May 24. Spanning more than 110,000 square meters, the building brings together an exclusive mix of luxury residences, a Canopy by Hilton hotel, boutique retail shops and office space. 

The project is led by American architecture and engineering firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in collaboration with Mexico City-based Estudio AMA and hotel interior design by Héctor Esrawe of the award-winning Esrawe Studio. 

“Legend is a project that is of its time and place, bringing international stature rooted in local culture, materials and craft,” said SOM Design Principal José Luis Palacios. “The design brings an architecture expressive of mass and weight with a sense of proportion that is unique to the region.” Hand-chiseled concrete details add texture and a human element to its simple and sophisticated design.

Conceived from the inside out—merging architecture, views, and landscapes—the project spans 52 floors with 7,900 square meters of office space, 190 hotel rooms and 202 residential units occupying the highest floors. The design embraces indoor-outdoor living throughout, featuring lush courtyard retail at the base, with wellness and communal amenities on terraces at the midpoint and rooftops. 

“Legend sets an example of innovation, quality, and reliability,” said Trust Capital Partner and Director Gerardo Alcántar. “Bringing together the best talent, we will deliver the best product and service for our clients.”

Legend offers exclusive and direct access to each residential unit. Living spaces feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors opening onto private outdoor balconies and terraces with stunning views. The architecture, landscaping, and materials are carefully curated to provide a distinctly local identity with international appeal.

“Legend is the culmination of the best minds collaborating to achieve the most representative project of Guadalajara,” said Andrés Muñoz Alarcón, Founder, Estudio AMA. “Inspired by local traditions and seeking evolution to become the project that will represent a historic change in its context.”

The design leverages local culture and craft to create richly textured, handmade surfaces that serve as a counterpoint to the technical assemblies more commonly associated with towers. Responsive to the climate of the region, the concrete facade deploys passive strategies to reduce energy, daylight, and glare. In addition, locally sourced mineral aggregates will be added to the concrete facade, creating a palette and texture reflective of the region’s natural materials.

“Legend will be established as the most influential mixed-use tower in Guadalajara,” said Inverti CEO and Founder Ignacio Ramírez. The project is slated for completion in 2029.