The Galería Canalejas, an architectural and commercial landmark
The Galería Canalejas, located in the centre of Madrid, are an architectural and commercial landmark that has spanned more than a century of history. Here you can find luxury shops, a Four Seasons hotel or a high-end market.
At the end of the 19th century, Madrid was experiencing a rapid growth. industrialisation and economic development brought by an increase in population and a need for commercial spaces that would respond to the demands of a new bourgeois class. In this context, a series of buildings appeared very close to Puerta del Sol, among which there are two to be highlighted: the Banco Hispanoamericano and the Palacio de la Equitativa.
During the first decades of the 20th century, the area experienced its golden age, becoming a meeting point for Madrid’s bourgeoisie. Luxury shops, tea rooms and spaces for cultural events attracted a select clientele. This commercial dynamism was reflected in the economic boom that Madrid experienced during this period.
In the decades following the Civil War, the lack of maintenance and competition from new shopping centres on the outskirts of Madrid led to a process of degradation and abandonment of this area. Despite these problems, the historical and architectural value of the place did not go unnoticed.
In recent years, an ambitious restoration project has been carried out, which has given rise to the Galería Canalejas. Bringing together seven buildings that were once banks, newspapers or insurance companies, after a restoration of 8,000 square metres of façade, the first boutique opened in 2020. Some 17,000 pieces from the former shops have been restored and even the doors of the strongrooms of the old banks are on display. An important part is the Four Seasons hotel, which has 200 rooms, luxury suites, a spa and a fine-dining restaurant. It also has a cosy and spacious bar-patio at the entrance and several rooms for conferences, concerts, exhibitions and other events.
The galleries, as well as the main entrance square to the Galleries, are named after José Canalejas Méndez, a politician who as a minister greatly influenced the development of the area, and was also assassinated as Prime Minister of Spain just a few minutes away at the Puerta del Sol in 1912.
The architecture of Galería Canalejas is a clear example of the modernist style of the early 20th century. The façade is decorated with ornamental elements, ceramics and mosaics, reflecting a rich and elaborate aesthetic. Inside, wide corridors, glass domes and natural lighting create a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere. Today, Galería Canalejas has been reborn as a modern shopping centre that combines luxury shops, gastronomy and cultural spaces. Its restoration has revitalised the area and has attracted both locals and tourists, making it an important attraction in the city.
The Galería Canalejas are much more than a shopping centre; they are a testament to Madrid’s historical evolution and its ability to adapt to the changes of time. Its rich history, spanning from the splendour of the bourgeoisie to its contemporary renaissance, reflects the identity of a city that has managed to reinvent itself. Today, the Galería Canalejas are not only a place to shop, but a space where history and modernity converge, offering each visitor a unique experience.
If you want to know more about this area of Madrid, don’t hesitate to join our Free Tour Madrid. We will be waiting for you with open arms!
