When restoration work was finished, the new Centro Cultural de España was inaugurated by the king of Spain with the President of Mexico in 2002.[2] The land in this area used to belong to Hernán Cortés, who ceded it to one of his fellow conquistadors.[2] Over the years, it was modified as it passed it was used as law offices, workshops and various types of stores.[1] 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.