In four years´ time, Edificio España, which is located in Plaza de España, will be transformed into a luxury hotel and exclusive apartments. It will be an awesome change, not only regarding the building itself, but also Plaza de España. Edificio España is the eighth highest building in Madrid and therefore one of the main skyscrapers of the city. In 2014, the Chinese tycoon Wang Jianlin bought it for 265 million euros. It will undergo a major remodelling and will become an attractive building.

SPLENDOUR AND DECLINE OF A HISTORIC BUILDING

Edificio España was inaugurated in 1953, with an overall cost of 200 million pesetas. At that time it created a great impact on the city for it had 25 storeys, 30 lifts and a built surface of 65.000 m2. It was the most emblematic building of the 50´s in Madrid. Inside, it had 300 offices as well as Hotel Plaza, which no longer exists. There were also 200 apartments which throughout the years lodged personalities related to culture and the film industry. For example, Raquel Welch, Bo Derek and Lola Flores were often seen there. As time went by, this glamour wore off. In the 80´s drug addicts and prostitutes loitered in the neighbourhood. Due to this fact, Edificio España became a decadent and unsafe place. In 2006, Hotel Plaza finally closed down. A year later, the whole building was left empty.

TOWARDS A DIFFERENT FUTURE

The real estate project of the Wanda Group hopes to achieve in less than 4 years´ time the transformation of Edificio España into a luxury hotel as well as a residential and shopping area. The city council of Madrid has only mentioned one essential condition: the main façade ( neo-baroque style ), must be maintained. Regarding the inside of the building, the remodelling will be carried out by the prestigious studio of Norman Foster and the Spanish Estudios Lamela. Wang Jianlin is very quiet and discreet concerning the project. However, it has been estimated that the most exclusive apartments may reach the price of 14.000 euros per square metre.

A DOCUMENTARY ON EDIFICIO ESPAÑA

The film maker, Victor Moreno, who was in love with Edificio España, made a documentary about it in 2014. You can visit the webpage here.

Picture 01: Alberto Cabello

Picture 02: M. Peinado

Picture 03: Rubén Vique