The land in this area used to belong to Hernán Cortés , who ceded it to one of his fellow conquistadors . Over the years , it was modified as it passed it was used as law offices , workshops and various types of stores . In 1985 , it was severely damaged by the earthquake and was abandoned until the Spanish government acquired it in 1997 . The site was chosen due to a commitment by the Spanish government to save an historical monument in this city . The Spanish undertook a careful restoration of the building
earthquake
1985 Mexico City earthquake
Centro Cultural de España