A compound in Mexico City designed in the 1960s by Luis Barragn and his protg, Andrs Casillas as an equestrian ranch and property for recreational amusement is slated to be transformed into a public cultural destination later this year. La Cuadra San Cristbal, a 6.5-acre site and its signature bright pink walls have become a pilgrimage of sorts for traveling architects seeking an Instagram mecca. In 2016, Louis Vuitton staged a popular editorial campaign there, where model La Seydoux strutted before the equestrian estates polychromatic walls and horses. Fundacin Fernando Romero, a nonprofit established by architect and philanthropist Fernando Romero, announced plans this week to transform La Cuadra San Cristbal into a new, public cultural destination. The vision includes the addition of new pavilions and other temporary interventions. Romero said he hopes that, looking ahead, the compound will serve the local context in Mexico City, but also the global architecture community at large.La Cuadra San Cristbal was designed in the 1960s as an equestrian estate.(Yannick Wegner/Courtesy Fundacin Fernando Romero)Our work at the Fundacin is driven by the belief that architectural innovation and artistic production can help foster a more just and culturally vibrant world, Romero shared in a statement.It is a great honor to begin this work by envisioning La Cuadra as a dynamic cultural hub that encourages new possibilities at the intersection of art and architecture, Romero added. Through a range of programming, we aim to catalyze the power of architecture for the visiting public and celebrate the enduring cultural influence of Luis Barragn. The vision will transform the property into a hub for the arts and artists. (Yannick Wegner/Courtesy Fundacin Fernando Romero)Romero purchased La Cuadra San Cristbal in 2017, one year after the Louis Vuitton photoshoot. Now, he hopes to use the compound for displaying works by artists, architects, and designers.Over the next ten years, a multi-phase plan for the campus by Romero will add new pavilions adjacent to the Barragn compound, one of which will be a timber structure by Kengo Kuma. Marina Abramovi has been invited to create a temporary intervention in the campuss courtyard, where a shallow water feature and Barragns heavy use of color are on full view. Aside from the new pavilion by Kengo Kuma, other new features will include a permanent exhibition that tells the story of Barragns life and work; an artist residency program; additional galleries, including one gallery that displays the Archivo Collection of design objects. In addition to galleries and artist workshops the transformed La Cuadra San Cristbal will house a podcast production studio, a library, a multi-purpose event space, and of course a gift shop and cafe. Future temporary, site-specific installations are also planned for the property.Among the notable elements of the property are a water feature. (Yannick Wegner/Courtesy Fundacin Fernando Romero)The exhibition indebted to Barragn will be curated by Jorge Covarrubias, the same architect that restored Barragns Casa Prieto Lpez and Fuente del Bebedero. The exhibition will focus on a few key projects by the late designer, including Casa Prieto Lpez, Casa Glvez, Casa Gilardi, Casa Estudio Barragn, Convento de las Capuchinas, Torres de Satlite, Fuente del Bebedero, and of course, La Cuadra San Cristbal.La Cuadra San Cristbal will open to the public in October 2025.