All about Casa Duarte Molina in Mérida, Mexico (2025)

Casa Molina Duarte is one of the remarkable buildings, located in the very best location directly on Paseo de Montejo (diagonally across from Casa Montes Molina), representing a value of several million dollars and yet abandoned for many years.

Unfortunately, there is very little information available about the building. This eclectic-style villa, with Italian influences, was constructed in the second decade of the twentieth century, likely around 1908, towards the end of Yucatán’s great henequen boom.

During this time, several others of the great mansions on Paseo de Montejo were also built. The period of 1880 to 1915 are usually considered to be the henequen boom years.

The property is impressive with its elaborate pastel-colored façade, featuring porticoes, arcades, gables, and intricate decorations. It also stands out for its gardens and interior salons, which are adorned with pasta and marble floors and finely carved wooden furniture.

By the way, you will find more so-called Lost Places in Mérida.

Owners

According to the available records, in 1929, the property 452 in Calle 56-A - that is the Paseo de Montejo - was inhabited by Dr. Fernando Molina Font (1891 to 1963), after whom the house is named today.

The house was later owned for a long time by Isolina Duarte Montalvo, the widow of Hugo Molina Font (a brother of Dr. Molina Font), until she passed away in February 2005.

Yucatán’s Henequen Boom

As mentioned, grand mansions like Casa Molina Duarte and others were built during the henequen boom, a period of immense wealth in Mérida.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the city thrived due to the global demand for henequen, often called "green gold," which was used for making ropes and textiles.  The ropes in the next photo are made from those henequen fibers,

This economic prosperity led to the establishment of nearly 1,200 haciendas within an 80-kilometer radius around Mérida, many of which have since become neighborhoods in the city. The influence of this era is still a key part of the city's charm today.