España Building

Interesting facts

1. 1

   It was the first building in Spain to exceed 100 meters in height upon its completion.

2. 2

   The facade contains approximately 5,000 windows.

3. 3

   The building was purchased by the Riu hotel chain in 2017 after a decade of complete vacancy.

4. 4

   A glass-bottomed balcony suspended 117 meters above the street connects two sections of the rooftop terrace.

5. 5

   During construction, it was considered a symbol of economic recovery and modern industrial ambition under the Franco era.

6. 6

   The building's iconic red brick exterior is preserved under Grade 1 architectural heritage protection.

7. 7

   It originally housed luxury apartments, offices, and a hotel before becoming exclusively a modern hotel destination.

Overview

The España Building, or Edificio España, is a 117-meter Neo-Baroque skyscraper located at the start of Gran Vía in Madrid. Designed by architects Julián and Joaquín Otamendi, it was completed in 1953 and served as the tallest building in Spain for several years. The structure features a distinctive stepped-back design that creates a series of terraces as the tower rises. After years of vacancy, it was fully renovated and reopened in 2019 to house the Riu Plaza España Hotel. The building contains over 500 guest rooms and maintains its historical facade protected by municipal heritage laws. Visitors can access a public viewing terrace and a 360-degree rooftop walkway on the 27th floor. The site serves as a prime example of Madrid's mid-20th-century vertical urbanism.

Insider tips

• Use the dedicated express elevators located in the hotel lobby to reach the rooftop terrace directly.

• Visit the 'Sky Bar' on the 27th floor to see the interior architectural details that have been restored to their original 1950s style.

• The rooftop terrace is accessible to non-hotel guests via a separate entry queue.