How the Number 13 Changed Building Architecture Across the Americas?
- In many cultures, the number 13 is seen as bad luck, and in Mexico, most developments avoid such floors
Friday the 13th. For many, the number 13 is often associated with bad luck, misfortune, or ill omen. In Judeo-Christian culture, this association is even more pronounced and reflected in horror films, everyday superstitions, and even corporate buildings.
From the early skyscrapers in New York to the most modern office buildings in Latin America, the fear of the 13th floor has influenced the design and numbering of many properties. This practice, rooted in a blend of urban, religious, and cultural beliefs, has led many developers to omit or disguise the 13th floor in their projects.
In Brazil, there are few examples of buildings with this practice. However, buildings like Pátio Victor Malzoni, the Rochaverá Towers, Faria Lima Plaza, and the Faria Lima Financial Center "skip" the 13th floor.
A Latin American Tradition
While Brazilian examples are rare, in Mexico, it’s more common to find developments without a 13th floor. In Mexico's four main office markets—Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Querétaro—only 19% of Class A+, A, and B buildings have a 13th floor, according to data from SiiLA. This means at least 166 buildings in these cities defy the superstition.
While most buildings in Mexico avoid the 13th floor, jumping from the 12th to the 14th or using labels like 12½ or 12B, Market Analytics data reveals interesting differences and similarities in the commercialization of these spaces.
While vacancy rates on 13th floors are 13% higher than the average in the country’s main office markets, hovering around 20.5%, the asking price is almost identical at US$ 22.7 per square meter, compared to US$ 22.9 for the average offices. This indicates that while superstition may influence demand, it is not strong enough to devalue these spaces.
Eighty-five percent of 13th floors are in Class A+ and A buildings, such as Torre Mayor and The Summit Santa Fe, with 83% of these properties located in Mexico City. In these buildings, the main tenants are from the government, finance, and consulting sectors, occupying 24%, 12%, and 6% of 13th floors, respectively.
In the Bogotá and Medellín markets in Colombia, according to SiiLA, almost 27% of Class A+, A, and B buildings have a 13th floor. The vacancy rate on these floors is 33% lower than the national average of around 8%, and asking prices on 13th floors are 19% higher than the country's average. This suggests that while superstition persists, demand for these spaces is high, and tenants are willing to pay a premium, a striking contrast to the situation in Mexico.
Myths and Phobias
Globally, New York's Woolworth Building, completed in 1913, was one of the first skyscrapers to omit the 13th floor, becoming a precursor of this practice. In Mexico, although there is no exact record of the first building to do so, omitting the 13th floor became popular in the second half of the 20th century, especially with the rise of modern skyscrapers.
The fear of the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, has its roots in ancient religious beliefs and superstitions that have persisted over time. One of the most influential stories comes from Christian tradition, where it is said that at Jesus' Last Supper, there were 13 apostles, with Judas Iscariot, the thirteenth guest, betraying him. This led to the association of the number 13 with betrayal and bad luck, a notion that spread and was reinforced in various cultures, even affecting building numbering.
However, there are other factors at play. In many cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky for various reasons. In numerology, the number 12 is considered "complete" or "perfect," associated with fullness and order, like the 12 months of the year or the 12 zodiac signs. The number 13, being one more than 12, is seen as a number that disrupts this order, leading it to be considered "destabilizing" or "incomplete."
Numerical superstition is not limited to the number 13. In some Asian countries, for example, the number 4 is avoided because its pronunciation is similar to the word "death," making it an unlucky number; in some parts of Europe, the number 17 is considered unlucky.
Similarly, pre-Columbian cultures in the Americas had their own numerical superstitions; for example, in Aztec cosmology, the number four represented the cardinal directions and stability, while the number five, which introduced a central direction, could be perceived both positively and negatively depending on the context, as it was associated with both balance and instability.
Beyond superstition, in cities like New York, the omission of the 13th floor also occurred for urban planning reasons. In the early 20th century, some critics believed that constructing buildings with more than 12 floors disrupted the urban aesthetic and could create logistical and structural issues.
The balance between tradition and functionality remains a challenge in modern architecture, where cultural beliefs and urban needs intertwine in unexpected ways.
Looking to lease an office on the 13th floor? Explore SiiLA SPOT, the complete platform for finding available office and coworking spaces, or contact us at: contato@siila.com.br
