As we said earlier, Madrid is back on track to regain its place among the Old Continent’s most alluring capitals. And rightfully so, given the city’s splendorous architecture, great cuisine, and last but not least, inimitable pizzazz. Adding to all three, is the newly opened Galería Canalejas, an upscale shopping centre and foodie haven in the historic heart of the city. Occupying the former head office of Banco Hispano Americano, an ornate Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque structure built in 1902-1906 by Spanish architect Eduardo de Adaro y Magro, and a cluster of surrounding buildings following a merger with another bank, the new shopping centre forms an integral part of a complex of seven historical buildings, just like the swanky Four Seasons hotel which opened one-and-a-half years ago. Galería Canalejas boasts 15,000 sqm. (161,459 sq.ft.) set across three floors and features an impressive roster of high-end boutiques and eateries which cater to the city’s more discerning dwellers and an increasing number of self-pampering visitors from overseas.
The historic building has been meticulously restored and redeveloped by local architecture practice Estudio Lamela, retaining much of the architectural details that reflect its heritage, but also a myriad of compatible new interventions that lend the premises a distinct contemporary edge. A majestic original Art Déco-style stained glass piece that was once prominently installed in the bank’s operations hall, now regains the limelight in the central atrium of Galería Canalejas. The historic original mailbox and an imposing 19-tonne door of an reinforced safe recovered from the underground levels of the banks can now be seen on display for shoppers to see. The interior design of the public spaces has been executed by Paris-based design firm Carbondale, while the individual shops have been designed by each brand. Interestingly, some have embedded the building’s original elements or references in their interior design. Hermès exhibits the unmistakable green marble counters of the Palacio de la Equitativa, the adjacent building occupied by the aforementioned hotel, and the Zegna retail space boasts a 1920s lamp.
So, which stores can be found at Galería Canalejas? Well, a number of renowned brands have already opened here. As said, Hermès is present, and has been since 2020, and Cartier since last year, and now also Zegna, Saint Laurent, Omega, Valentino, Rolex, and also Aquazzura‘s very first retail space in Spain. And that’s not all. Very soon, a Louis Vuitton will open its doors here, and Giorgio Armani, which will once again open up shop for its luxury main line in Madrid after an eight-year absence. On the ground floor sits Beauty Gallery by Isolée, a multi-brand emporium dedicated to the world of beauty, beauty treatments and fragrances, featuring a slew of top brands. Boosting the shopping experience even further are special services, such as a V.I.P. concierge, and a private room with a personal shopper. As power shopping sessions are quite taxing, the range of illustrious shops are backed up by an adjacent food hall with 13 gourmet restaurants which already opened last December. In celebration of the opening, an art installation of 80,000 carnations, crafted by creative agency wozere, adorned the premises.
Galería Canalejas
Plaza de Canalejas 1 (Centro)
28014 Madrid
Telephone: +34 91 1085606
Mon-Sat 10am-8pm (shops)
Sun 12pm-8pm (shops)
Mon-Thu 12pm-12am (food hall)
Fri-Sat 12pm-1am (food hall)
Sun 12pm-12am (food hall)
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
