Did you know that the Torre de Madrid was once the tallest concrete building in the world? Here we are in front of this iconic tower. It is a symbol of Madrid. The Torre de Madrid stands tall on the Plaza de España. Its history is as captivating as its architecture.
The Torre de Madrid is also known as Torre de Alcampo. It is one of Madrid’s tallest buildings. It rises 142 meters high. Construction spanned from 1954 to 1957. The architects Julián and José María Otamendi Machimbarrena designed it. They worked for the Metropolitan Real Estate Agency. They had previously designed the Edificio España for them.
The Torre de Madrid holds a special place in the city’s skyline. It is located on the Plaza de España. It serves as a symbolic structure for the plaza and Madrid itself. Inside you will find offices and apartments. For a time, it was the highest office building in Western Europe. That was until 1967. Brussels’ South Tower then surpassed it. Many Spanish movies from the 1960s featured the tower.
Imagine the ambition behind its creation. The architects envisioned more than just a tall building. They planned for 500 stores. They wanted spacious galleries. A hotel was in the works as well as a cinema. The tower had twelve elevators. These were the fastest available at the time. They moved at 3.5 meters per second. The Torre de Madrid officially opened on October 15, 1957.
The Torre de Madrid stands at the end of Gran Vía street. It is in the heart of Madrid. It forms an interesting architectural ensemble with the Edificio de España. Both buildings have protection from the City Hall. It was the tallest building in Spain until 1982. The Torrespaña telecommunications tower then took the title.
In 2005, Metrovacesa put the tower up for sale. It was sold together with the Edificio España. This was to finance part of the acquisition of Gecina. The sale price was around €400 million.
A redevelopment project in 2012 transformed floors 10-32 into apartments. In 2017, the Hotel Barceló Torre de Madrid opened on floors 1-9.
The Torre de Madrid also made its mark in cinema. It appeared in the 1984 movie “The Hit.” Part of the movie was filmed in an apartment. It was shot on one of the highest floors.
The Torre de Madrid is not just a building. It’s a landmark with a rich history. It reflects Madrid’s growth and ambition. As you stand here, consider its past. The tower was once the highest concrete building in the world. It is now a vibrant part of Madrid’s present.