Puerta del Sol – the heart of Madrid.
Puerta del Sol is located right in the center of Madrid, a reference of the capital city and the landmark of the Kilometer Zero, the starting point for all major roads in Spain. Easily considered a meeting point for locals and tourists and you can get to pretty much anywhere in Madrid in less than 15 minutes, thanks to the efficient subway system. The Puerta del Sol originated as one of the gates in the city wall that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century.
Outside the wall, medieval suburbs began to grow around the Christian Wall of the 12th century; the name of the gate came from the rising sun which decorated the entry upon rising. One of the most prominent buildings rising from the area is the original Banco Hispano Americano headquarters, designed by Eduardo de Adaro y Magro as a landmark equal to its neighbour El Palacio. Today, this building can be seen facing the Plaza Canalejas, and forms the main entrance to La Galería shopping mall. The first stone for the building was laid in 1902, and the building was designed with dedicated areas for the bank’s activities. The main banking floor was a double-level height, including ground floor and mezzanine. In the 1940s, the Banco Hispano Americano bought the adjacent plot and appointed architect Manuel Ignacio Galíndez Zabala to join the two buildings, as well as completely remodel the bank’s interior.
In 1942, the Bank also took over the former headquarters of the Banco Sainz to construct a new building connecting with other buildings in the Calle Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo. The Credit Lyonnais building, designed by José Urioste y Velada, was the next to be acquired by Banco Hispano Americano, giving it an expanded presence on both sides of the block. And finally, the Banco Zaragozano building featuring an impressive relief showing visual representations, was connected to the others in the early 1980s, enlarging the footprint even further and becoming the final piece in the puzzle of the seven buildings that now make up Centro Canalejas.
Housed in a collection of seven historical buildings located right in the heart of the centre, is the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.
During the transformation project which involved the entirety of the seven buildings connected in the past decades, more than 16,000 pieces were extracted, catalogued and painstakingly restored, with around 3,700 being brought back into the building. Many can now be found in the suites and public areas of the Hotel; such as the impressive green marble pillars with gilded capitals in the Lobby that was once the main bank’s hall.
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid is completed by the Hotel’s 22 Private Residences and Galeria Canalejas. Estudio Lamela developed the incredibly challenging architecture project, while the interior design was by BAMO in San Francisco. Isa gastrobar on the first floor – named after one of Spain’s most notorious queens – was designed by AvroKo, and Marbella-born celebrity Chef Dani Garcia’s Dani brasserie by Martin Brudnizki's studio in London. The spectacular art collection around the Hotel features more than 2,000 pieces of art all by Spanish artists, such as the ‘Starry Night’ installation by Eduardo Pérez-Cabrero in the lobby's staircase. The interior colour palette consists of copper shades, graphite blue, saffron, and pearly whites.
A much sought after reveal.
The striking Royal Suite’s living room was the private office of the bank's presidents and board members since the early 1900s, and has retained most of its original features, including the fireplace, the ceiling's molding and original Juliet balconies while introducing a sculptural round bathtub backed by a wall of Calacatta Vagli Rosato marble and specially sourced onyx Viola.
The Royal Suite completely disconnects with the rest of the design of the hotel. The original bank design as and representative of Spain prominence, for the previous bank president office to transform in the Royal Suite of the Four Seasons Madrid. It’s been restored, reinstating its original appearance from 1882 – making of it today the largest suite in town.
The Royal Suite is located on the first floor, on the chamfered corner between Alcalá and Sevilla streets. The Suite has remained virtually intact since the construction of the building in 1887, and has been restored in situ. It is not only a physical space, but also forms part of the social and economic memory of Madrid and Spain: its 431 square metres housed the Casino de Madrid, as well as the boardroom and the office of the president of the now defunct Banco Español de Crédito, which was eventually absorbed by Banco Santander in 1994.
“This is a unique work. It is unlikely that anything similar will be repeated due to its architectural, technical and administrative difficulty and the deployment of resources. Centro Canalejas is the flagship of the new Madrid, and the Royal Suite is its figurehead. It represents an example of respect for history and an engagement with the present and the future”– Carlos Lamela, Executive President of Estudio Lamela
Isa Gastrobar: discover the new gastronomic sensation here.
Located on the first floor of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, this eclectic venue in the heart of Madrid is the center of lifestyle where one can experience unique dishes by renowned chef Jhonny Setjo, signature cocktails by our Head Bartender, Miguel Pérez, and the most vibrant entertainment. Opened on December 9, 2021 to reveal a list of signature cocktails and Asian tapas with a Mediterranean influence that have never been seen before in the capital.
Where C. de Sevilla, 3, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Phone +34 910 88 33 33
Pricing ££££