Polanco, is one of the most exclusive areas’s of Mexico, located in Miguel Hidalgo borough, it has a long history of wealth, sophistication, and a certain cosmopolitan flair. Its tree-lined streets, upscale boutiques, and world-class dining have earned it comparisons to Mayfair, Beverly Hills or Champs Élysées. When it comes to branded residences, Polanco is never going to be a hotspot in terms of numbers, due to strict planning laws and limited land availability making it one of the most expensive real estate markets in Latin America.
But when it comes to exclusivity and lifestyle Polanco is already a branded residences hotspot
Branded residences in Polanco are rare but there are some notable examples, including the recently launched Armani Residences Masaryk.
This article explores Polanco’s history, its reputation for an exclusive lifestyle, its vibrant shopping and lifestyle scene, and the growing influence of world class private boutique branded residence developments.
What are Branded Residences
In short, branded residences are luxury residential homes, that are tied to prestigious hotel and luxury brands, they offer a lifestyle of exclusivity, convenience, and prestige, and are one of the fastest growing sectors in luxury real estate globally.
Read our Ultimate Guide to branded residences in 2025
A Brief History of Polanco
Polanco’s origins trace back to the 16th century, when the land was part of the Hacienda de San Juan de los Morales, granted to Hernán Cortés by the Spanish crown.
From the 1940s, Polanco saw a construction boom, with large single-family homes built in the Colonial Californiano style. Luxury mansions, with quarry windows and lush gardens, housed Mexico City’s elite, including figures like actress María Félix, whose 1950s home still stands.
Today many of these grand homes have been replaced with multi unit residential developments, exclusive boutiques, and restaurants.
The Exclusivity of Polanco
Polanco’s exclusivity is rooted in its prime location and demographic. Bordered by the iconic Bosque de Chapultepec to the south, Paseo de la Reforma to the east, and Avenida Ejercito Nacional to the north, it sits at the heart of Mexico City’s cultural and business hubs.
The neighbourhood is home to high-net-worth individuals, diplomats, and expatriates from diverse communities, including Jewish, Lebanese, Spanish, and Japanese.
Security is a key factor in its appeal. Unlike other parts of Mexico City, Polanco is regarded as exceptionally safe, with private security and gated residences common.
Zoning laws help preserve the neighbourhoods low rise charm which driving land prices to be some of the highest in Latin America.
The scarcity of available development land further enhances the prestige of the area..
The Luxury Real Estate Sector in Polanco
Polanco’s real estate market is among the most expensive in Latin America, driven by high demand and limited inventory.
The average price for a home in Polanco IV Sección is approximately $1.74 million USD, with properties ranging from $500,000 to $9 million USD. Condos and apartments dominate, with an average size of 277 square meters.
Single-family homes, though rare, command prices between $3 million and $4 million for Spanish Colonial Revival-style residences on leafy side streets.
The market has evolved significantly since the 1990s, when Polanco began its shift from suburban to urban.
Recent developments focus on boutique style buildings with fewer than 10 units, offering spacious condos between 150 and 400 square meters, with little or no facilities.
The market’s strength lies in its balance of historical charm, seen in preserved Art Deco and baroque-style buildings and modern innovation.
Low interest rates and a robust rental market, which often covers mortgage costs, make Polanco an attractive investment.
International buyers, particularly from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, are increasingly drawn to the neighbourhoods that offer privacy exclusivity and lifestyle.
Polanco offers in may ways offers “the old school charm“ you would expect from Europe, a place where you spend your time walking the neighbourhood, shopping and socialising, and enjoying the surroundings and community.
Branded Residences in Polanco
Branded residences, are a growing segment of Polanco’s luxury real estate sector, they bring the prestige and service standards of global hospitality and fashion brands to residential living.
These properties offer homeowners the convenience of hotel like amenities, such as concierge services, housekeeping, and fine dining, while maintaining the privacy of a private home.
In Polanco, branded residences are gaining traction among ultra high net worth individuals who value rarity, exclusivity and brand association.
One prominent example is the Armani Residences Masaryk, located at the corner of Avenida Presidente Masaryk.
This development by luxury real estate developer MiRA, offers just 57 exclusive residences ranging from 150 to 568 square meters, featuring private terraces and access to Giorgio Armani and Armani/Casa boutiques on the ground floor.
This project offers the rare inclusion of world class facilities, including an Armani Residents club, rooftop pool, wellness center, yoga, pilates rooms and relaxation zones surrounded by manicured gardens.
This is very rare in Polanco, as most projects do no have sufficient land to offer facilities as comprehensive as this.
Designed with the brand’s signature minimalist elegance, the residences cater to buyers who see their home as an extension of their personal style.
The project’s architecture by Sordo Madaleno the location just steps from luxury boutiques and museums, aligns with Polanco’s sophisticated lifestyle.
It is being developed to be part of the community, not to be an outsider.
The St. Regis Residences in Polanco, Mexico City, a 20 minute walk from Polanco’s cultural and commercial core, these residences offer amenities like butler service and in-home dining, drawing on the St. Regis brand’s legacy of personalized hospitality. This project is completed and sold out
The Limited This exceptional project was conceived in collaboration with John Hitchcox and the renowned design studio Yoo, led by the legendary Philippe Starck.
The Limited in Polanco is a luxury residential development on Rubén Darío, Mexico City’s prestigious Polanco neighborhood.
Designed by Philippe Starck and John Hitchcox, it offers 44 exclusive apartments with customisable interiors, its prime location near Chapultepec Park ensures proximity to upscale dining, shopping, and cultural landmarks
Other brands such as Park Hyatt, The Ritz-Carlton and Kimpton are active in the branded residences space in Mexico city, these projects sit slightly outside of the exclusivity of Polanco.
Shopping and Lifestyle in Polanco
Polanco’s lifestyle is defined by its walkable streets and access to high-end amenities. Avenida Presidente Masaryk, often called the most expensive shopping street in Latin America, is lined with designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, and Hermès.
Nearby, Antara Fashion Hall, an open-air mall, features international labels like Zara and Burberry, while Plaza Carso, close to the Museo Soumaya, houses a Saks Fifth Avenue.
Dining in Polanco is a cultural experience. The neighbourhood boasts some of Mexico’s finest restaurants, such as Pujol, ranked fifth in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2022, alongside Nobu, Morimoto, and Biko.
These venues attract both locals and international visitors, offering everything from avant-garde Mexican cuisine to global flavours, wine culture has also taken hold, with establishments catering to collectors and enthusiasts
Beyond shopping and dining, Parque Lincoln, with its clock tower and weekly farmer’s market, is a popular community gathering point.
The nearby Bosque de Chapultepec, one of the largest urban parks in the Western Hemisphere, offers trails, lakes, and cultural landmarks like the National Museum of Anthropology and the Rufino Tamayo Museum.
Polanco’s galleries, such as Kurimanzutto, and boutique design stores like Ikal, cater to art and design aficionados. This blend of leisure, culture, and commerce creates a lifestyle that is both vibrant and refined.
Polanco is Primed for Standalone Branded Residences
An influx of new luxury real estate developments, while prestigious, must respect the neighbourhoods historical character to maintain its appeal.
This why we feel that standalone branded residences like the Armani Residences Masaryk, could be the future for this exclusive area.
Standalone refers to there being no onsite hotel, they are 100% residential branded buildings associated with either a world class hotel brand like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton or Rosewood etc, or luxury brands like Armani, Bentley, Missoni or ELIE SAAB.
These residential only branded projects are design and service led but for residents only. Read more about Standalone Branded Residences
Due there being no hotel operations they require less space and land, which makes them the perfect option for property developers in an area like Polanco , with it’s limited availability of large land plots.
Looking ahead, Polanco’s real estate market shows no signs of slowing. The neighbourhoods central location, cultural richness, and exclusivity ensure continued demand.
Branded residences, with their focus on privacy and prestige, are well-positioned to attract international and domestic buyers and are likely to become a growing sector of Polanco’s luxury real estate market.
