The most representative buildings of Madrid

Torre Picasso

Located on Paseo de la Castellana, in the financial center of AZCA, it was once the tallest skyscraper in Madrid (and in Spain). Its ownership changed in 2011, when Amancio Ortega (Inditex) decided to acquire it from FCC (Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas). It currently houses renowned companies such as Deloitte and Google.

• Address: Calle de Plaza Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 1 (28020, Madrid)

• Floors: 47

• Height: 157 m

• Use: Offices

Cuatro Torres Business Area (CTBA)

This business complex houses the four tallest skyscrapers in Madrid and Spain, with construction beginning in 2004. It is composed of:

1. Torre Cepsa (formerly Torre Bankia and Torre Repsol)

• Height: 248 m, 45 floors

• Headquarters of companies such as Bankia and Cepsa

• Construction completed: May 2009

2. Torre Pwc

• Height: 236 m, 58 floors

• The only building designed by Spanish architects

• Houses the Eurostars Madrid Tower Hotel (5*), occupying up to the 31st floor, and the company PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which gives the tower its name

• Construction completed: April 2008

3. Torre de Cristal

• Height: 249 m, 52 floors, making it the tallest of the four towers

• Upper garden of 600 m²

• Headquarters of companies such as Coca-Cola and Volkswagen

• Construction completed: December 2009

4. Torre Espacio

• Total height: 230 m, 57 floors

• Aerodynamic façade

• Headquarters of companies such as Espacio S.L., OHL, Fertiberia, and Ferroatlántica, as well as a chapel and four embassies (Netherlands, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia)

• Construction completed: March 2007

Torres Kío (Puerta de Europa)

Located between AZCA and the Cuatro Torres Business Area (CTBA), in the heart of Plaza de Castilla, these two parallel towers lean 15º on their axis. The left tower is distinguished by the Bankia logo (formerly Caja Madrid), while the right tower bears the Realia (real estate) logo.

• Address: Plaza de Castilla s/n (28020, Madrid)

• Floors: 26

• Height: 114 m

• Use: Offices

Edificio España

This is the eighth tallest skyscraper in the city and one of the most important in its surroundings, located at Plaza de España. Until 2006, the building was a symbol of luxury, housing the Crowne Plaza Hotel, a shopping center, apartments, and offices, although it has been vacant since then.

It has, however, been sold twice: in 2014 to Chinese magnate Wang Jianlin (Wanda Group), and in 2016 to Baraka Investment Group.

• Address: Calle de la Princesa, 19 (28013, Madrid)

• Floors: 25

• Height: 117 m

Edificio Metrópolis

Madrid’s quintessential building could not be missing from today’s publication. Crowning Calle Alcalá, at its junction with Gran Vía, stands the “Metrópolis” building, which, far from being known for its height or function, is celebrated by tourists for its renowned beauty. The style of its façade, along with its slate dome, makes this a unique building.

• Address: Calle Alcalá, 39 (28014, Madrid)

• Floors: 25

• Height: 45 m (26 m at the façade)

• Use: Headquarters of the insurance company Metrópolis

Palacio de Cibeles

Formerly known as “the Post Office building,” the Palacio de Cibeles became part of the Madrid City Council’s offices and also houses a cultural area called Centro Centro, which offers a wide range of exhibitions, such as the one it hosted a few months ago featuring Kandinsky.

• Address: Plaza de Cibeles, 1 (28014, Madrid)

• Floors: 8

• Height: 70 m

• Use: Seat of the Madrid City Council