Mexican American Cultural Center

This landmark addition to El Paso’s Downtown Museum District celebrates the traditions and history of Mexican American culture in the border region. Transforming 20,000 sf of the former main library and expanding it with an additional 20,000 sf, the project creates a modern cultural hub where heritage and innovation converge. The center houses exhibit halls for artwork, artifacts, and contemporary installations highlighting Mexican American contributions to society; a black-box theater and auditorium; dance and lecture classrooms; a culinary teaching kitchen for sharing and preserving traditional recipes; and a rooftop terrace framing panoramic city views. The MACC extends its civic presence with an outdoor amphitheater, performance plaza, and movie screen. Shaped with strong community collaboration, the building is a living tribute to Mexican American identity and a cultural beacon for the city’s future generations.

“We found this project particularly strong because it’s a civic place where you could imagine yourself coming back time and time again. I don’t think this building will ever let you down, during the day or during the nighttime, with a variety of experiences that make a place live, and live in the community, for a long time. A really terrific project at all levels.”

—Tom Kundig, FAIA