In 1879, inspired by department stores in Europe, and the United States, especially Le Bon Marché in Paris, the owners of the clothing store Las Fábricas de Francia began planning Latin America's first department store. A prime location was purchased in 1888 and construction was completed in 1891. It was the city’s first building using iron and steel in its framework. This led to the store’s name El Palacio de Hierro (the Iron Palace).

On April 15, 1914 a fire destroyed the building. Other buildings were then used. With the end of the Mexican Revolution, construction began on a new building designed by French architect Paul Dubois. The Art Nouveau building opened in 1920 with dual stained-glass ceilings by Jacques Gruber (1870-1936) of Nancy, France. The photos start with the southwest corner moving east to the main entrance.