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Faria Lima vs. Polanco: Parallels and Contrasts of Two Latin American Business Powerhouses

  • The economic dynamics and cultural distinctions between Faria Lima and Polanco, Latin America's foremost business districts, where contrasting architectural styles, occupancy rates, and vibrant lifestyles shape the unique identities of these corporate powerhouses
  • From the thriving financial influence of BBVA México in Polanco to Faria Lima's bohemian essence and iconic structures

Soumaya museum in Plaza Carso complex, Mexico City
Soumaya museum in Plaza Carso complex, Mexico City
By: SiiLA News
11/21/2023

Major commercial centers, known as Central Business Districts (CBDs), such as Lower Manhattan in New York, Lujiazui in Shanghai, and the West End in London, are crucial for the survival of a country's economic ecosystem. In Latin America, it's no different: the two largest cities are home to important business centers—in Brazil, the city of São Paulo is the largest, with the Faria Lima region, and in Mexico, Polanco stands out in Mexico City.

Both regions exhibit distinct characteristics and shared traits. Polanco, renowned for its concentration of businesses, stands out not just for its corporate presence but also for its distinguished restaurants and Hispano-American neocolonial architecture. Conversely, Faria Lima, developed around its eponymous avenue, serves as Brazil's corporate nerve center, home to major offices and even the country's first shopping mall, Shopping Iguatemi, established in 1966.

In these primary corporate zones, the Financial, Insurance, Real Estate an Legal (FIRE ) companies sector holds the most significant sway. In Mexico, this group of companies occupy 30.17% of total space, while in Brazil, it commands an even more substantial 47.1%, as per  Market Analytics data.

Distinguishing the two, Faria Lima stands out with an impressively low 6.2% vacancy rate, in stark contrast to Polanco's 17.3%. SiiLA´s data maps 1,474,076 square meters of class A+, A, and B offices in the Mexican region, while Faria Lima in São Paulo encompasses 761,909 square meters. 

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ABOUT SiiLA

Founded in 2015, SiiLA is the industry leading REsource for comprehensive commercial real estate market insights, news and events across Latin America. The SiiLA suite of innovative products drive greater accuracy, efficiency, and strategic advantages for top players in the commercial real estate industry.

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