Madrid's Architecture From The 1960s To 2000s

Madrid isn’t really known for its modern architecture, especially when compared to other cities. Barcelona’s Gaudi-inspired buildings bring in the crowds, the Basque country Bilbao boasts the Guggenheim museum, and Andalusia, Seville has the famous ‘Metropol Parasol‘ – or as the locals call it, the ‘mushroom’ – the biggest wooden structure in the world. Madrid’s distinctive modern architectural history is best exemplified by the following five towers, all of which have been structural icons of the latter-half of the 20th century.

1. - The Torres Blancas (The White Towers)

1960s – The Torres Blancas (The White Towers)

These very distinctive 23-storey towers on the eastern edge of Madrid are the first architectural monuments that will be seen if arriving by road from the airport. Rising 71 meters from the Avenida de América, the ‘Torres Blancas’ are an extraordinary fusion of the Brutalist and Organic styles of the 1950s to 1970s. White marble dust was mixed to the concrete during construction, hence the name ‘White Towers’, but now they are an austere-looking grey, like something from a science-fiction movie.

©sergeantpluck/flickr

2. - Las Torres de Colón

Building

There is, perhaps, no other building in Madrid that screams ‘1970s’ more than the twin ‘Towers of Columbus’. Owned by insurance giant ‘Mutua Madrileña’, these 116m-high edifices on the ‘Plaza de Colón’ are among the most recognizable on the Madrid skyline.Designed by architect Antonio Lamela in 1968 and completed in 1976, the ‘Torres de Colón’ are an example of the postmodernist architectural movement. Lamela deconstructed modernist architectural logic to its most extreme form by building from the top down. Initially, two concrete pillars were erected and a square platform built on top of each. The floors were then installed downwards around these ‘spines’. Only the basements and the lower six floors were constructed upwards.The ‘Torres de Colón’ are known locally as ‘el Enchufe’, or ‘the Plug’. The green art deco-style cover (that was added in the 1990s) looks like a giant electrical plug. With their copper and smoked glass façade, the ‘Torres de Colón’ could be considered too 1970s, too ugly and unfashionable. As such, they inspire as much shame as they do pride among the city’s inhabitants. Nevertheless, love them or hate them, they remain an icon of Madrid’s urban landscape.
Metro: Colon (Line 4)

3. - La Torre Picasso

Building

Completed in 1988 and standing at 157m high, the Torre Picasso is easily seen from any viewpoint that shows the Madrid skyline. Designed by Japanese-American architect Minoru Yamasaki (1912-1988), one of the 20th century’s most famous architects – whose most famous work was the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center – the Torre Picasso is an example of the New Formalism style of architecture.The almost-square footprint of the tower (38m x 40m) gives it a very columnar appearance, especially with the windowless two-storey base and the classical cornice on top. Indeed, New Formalism seeks to echo the symmetry and balance of the classic forms of Greek or Roman architecture, yet with the utilization of modern materials. The facade of the Torre Picasso is of paired windows each separated by a narrow strip of aluminum. This shines white in the Madrid sun to make the Torre Picasso a notable landmark alongside the Paseo de la Castellana.The Torre Picasso rises out of the commercial complex at Azca, on the Pablo Picasso square not far from Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Between 1988 and 2007, it was Spain’s tallest residential or office building. Only the giant television antenna-tower, the Torrespaña, was taller at 251m.
Metro: Nuevos Ministerios (Line 6/8/10) or Santiago Bernabeu (Line 10)

5. - La Torre Cristal (The Glass Tower)

Building

At the top of Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellan’ resides the Cuatro Torres Business Park. All four towers were completed in the 2000s, and all are modern enough in design to reflect the new millennium. However, the one tower that seems utterly futuristic is the ‘Glass Tower’. At 249m in height, it is the tallest building on mainland Spain, although this could be disputed. The neighboring Sir Norman Foster-designed Torre Caja Madrid is +/- 1m different, depending on the source.The glass tower was designed by Argentine-America architect Cesar Pelli (b.1926), a man who has made skyscrapers his life’s work. The Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur are Pelli’s design, as is One Canada Square in London, Britain’s second highest building. The Glass Tower was competed in 2009, and really is glass, from bottom to top. The design looks extremely simple – like the blade of a Samurai sword, its cuts into the sky, reflecting the Madrid sun. It is elegant yet monumental in its simplicity and presence. It can be seen as ancient as an Egyptian obelisk, or as futuristic as an extra-terrestrial spacecraft. Either way, it is the jewel in the Madrid skyline.
Metro: Chamartin or Begoña (Line 10)

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.