Contemplate this building. It’s the Torre Metropolitana. It rises impressively with its 24 floors.
Torre Metropolitana is a notable building in Spain. It was completed in 1978. Its address is Plaza de la Ciudad de Viena 6.
But there is also the Torre de Madrid. It’s another significant building in Madrid. The Torre de Madrid is located on the Plaza de España. It was built between 1954 and 1957. Julián and José María Otamendi Machimbarrena designed it. The Metropolitan Real Estate Agency commissioned them.
The Torre de Madrid reaches 142 meters. It has 36 floors. It once held the title of the tallest office building in Western Europe until 1967. It appeared in many Spanish films during the 1960s.
Originally, the architects of the Torre de Madrid planned for it to be the tallest concrete building. It was also envisioned to house 500 stores, galleries, a hotel, and a cinema. Its twelve elevators were the fastest of their time. They could travel 3.5 meters per second.
The Torre de Madrid is near the Edificio de España. Together, they create an interesting architectural ensemble. Until 1982, the Torre de Madrid was the tallest building in Spain.
In 2005, Metrovacesa put the Torre de Madrid up for sale. In 2012, the building was redeveloped. Apartments now occupy floors 10-32. Hotel Barceló Torre de Madrid opened on floors 1-9 in 2017.
The Torre de Madrid even made an appearance in the 1984 film The Hit. A scene was shot in one of its apartments.
Back to Torre Metropolitana. It stands 89 meters tall. It shares its height with other buildings like Torre Retiro.
Madrid has a rich history beyond these buildings. It became a town in 1202. King Philip II made Madrid the capital city in 1561. Madrid became the largest GDP city in Spain under Francisco Franco.
While the Torre de Madrid offers a glimpse into the past, the Torre Metropolitana represents modern Madrid. Each building tells a story of the city’s evolution. They stand as testaments to Madrid’s architectural ambition and historical significance. The Torre Metropolitana is just one piece of Madrid’s vibrant urban landscape.