Metropolis Building

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The original bronze statue of the phoenix was moved to the insurance company's other property on Paseo de la Castellana after the 1972 sale.

2. 2

   The building was constructed on the site of the former Hotel La Parisienne and the grocery store La Equitativa.

3. 3

   Its dome was renovated in the 1990s to restore the original gold leaf finish using approximately 30,000 sheets of gold.

4. 4

   The structure is built on a difficult, acute-angled plot of land, requiring a complex, curved architectural design to transition between the streets.

5. 5

   It is frequently mistaken for the Edificio Grassy, a much smaller building located directly across the street.

Overview

The Metropolis Building is a landmark Beaux-Arts office structure located at the intersection of Calle de Alcalá and Gran Vía in Madrid. Designed by French architects Jules and Raymond Février, it was inaugurated in 1911 to serve as the headquarters for the La Unión y el Fénix insurance company. The building is most famous for its striking circular tower topped by a slate dome covered in gold leaf. The exterior facade features a Corinthian order, sculptural groups by Mariano Benlliure and Saint-Marceaux, and elaborate balconies. Originally, the dome was crowned with a bronze statue of Ganymede riding a phoenix, which was replaced in 1972 by the current Winged Victory statue. The site marks the official starting point of Madrid's most iconic commercial street, the Gran Vía. Its location serves as the visual anchor for the beginning of the city's twentieth-century urban expansion. The building is currently owned by the insurance group Metrópolis Seguros and is not open to the general public for interior tours.

Insider tips

• Walk a few blocks toward the Banco de España to capture the building’s perspective against the sky.

• Visit during sunset when the golden dome reflects the late afternoon light, highlighting its intricate detail.

• Combine your visit with a walk down the Gran Vía to see the evolution of early 20th-century architectural styles.