Avenida Presidente Masaryk

Avenida Presidente Masaryk is a thoroughfare in the affluent

In 1999 the city of Prague donated a statue^[3] of Masaryk to Mexico City, one of the two originals made when the statue for the Prague Castle was being prepared for the 150th anniversary of his birth.^[4] The statue was placed in the roundabout at the intersection of Av. Presidente Masaryk and Arquímedes on 28 October 2000, on the Czechoslovak National Day.

The name of the street is often misspelled e.g. "Mazarik" or "Mazaryk". The City of Mexico decided to correct the signs under its control in 2000 (street, highway and other signs), but the incorrect names remained on some of the local shops.

Renovation 2013–2015

In 2013 Seduvi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing of the

The project was a complete overhaul of infrastructure, it included: granite sidewalks, hydraulic concrete, landscaping (including the replacement of unhealthy trees), new benches and bike racks, energy efficient light posts, replacement of aging water supply and drainage systems, and the replacement of overhead electricity/telephone cables with an underground system. The rehabilitation, which was completed in phases, started in January 2014 and was expected to last 18 months.^[5] The avenue was officially reinaugurated on 8 and 9 August 2015 with a cultural event that included a performance by Kalimba, a marathon and group yoga, among other activities.^[6]

Masaryk faces competition from luxury shopping centers in the far west of the city such as Centro Santa Fe, Arcos Lomas and Paseo Interlomas.^[7]

Points of interest

Avenida Masaryk hosts many boutiques of international brands including

• Pasaje Polanco, a smaller but historic collection of shops around a courtyard, built in the 1930s in Colonial Californiano style (Mexican interpretation of California Spanish Colonial Revival architecture)^[8]
• National Conservatory of Music at the far west end of the street.

References