The Department of State Dedicates New U.S. Consulate General Mérida in Mexico – United States Department of State
On December 5, 2024 – four years and a day after the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) broke ground on construction of a new U.S. Consulate General in Mérida, Mexico – the United States and Mexico formally dedicated the new facility. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar was joined by the U.S. Consul General Justen Thomas, OBO Managing Director for Planning and Real Estate Victoria Hartke, and local dignitaries, to mark construction completion.
The new consulate is an important physical representation of the long-term commitment to the U.S.-Mexico relationship and a permanent presence in the Yucatán Peninsula, an essential region for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. The $211 million project, designed by the Miller Hull Partnership and constructed by BL Harbert International, employed over 2,300 workers and contributed $85 million to the local economy.
The design implements building performance optimization that advances U.S. sustainability and climate resilience goals. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver-certified project features solar power generation, native landscaping, and advanced water and energy efficiency measures. Its wells inject storm water back into the ground, a nod to the deep pools found throughout the region. The site underwent significant remediation to address environmental contamination, ensuring the safety and sustainability of the surrounding area.
The design of the new consulate complex is reminiscent of Mayan archeological sites, which hover above the jungle and provide views over the trees across the peninsula. The ceremonial stair that connects the communal spaces within the building represent the cenotes that are found throughout the region. Cenotes were considered sacred portals to the underworld, serving as vital sources of freshwater and for religious rituals and offerings to the gods, due to their connection to the water table. The consulate features a permanent art collection curated by OBO’s Office of Art in Embassies, with contributions from U.S. and Mexican artists. A highlight of the collection is a site-specific installation by renowned U.S. artist Jorge Pardo, featuring 17 glowing sculptures repeating the reference to the cenotes of the Yucatán in the gallery space. Mexican abstract expressionist artist Gabriel Ramirez, considered one of the most important artists in the Yucatán through his transformation of the concept of contemporary art in Mexico, contributed acrylic paintings influenced by Mexican motifs, history, and culture.
OBO invested $2 billion in five major projects across Mexico – four new consulate facilities located in Hermosillo, Guadalajara, Mérida, and Nogales, and a new embassy in Mexico City. Joining existing facilities in Ciudad Juarez, Matamoros, Tijuana, Monterrey, and Nuevo Laredo, these 10 diplomatic facilities reflect the U.S. commitment to Mission Mexico.
OBO provides the most effective facilities for United States diplomacy abroad. Since the start of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, OBO has completed 183 new diplomatic facilities and has 49 active projects in design or construction worldwide.
