Edificio Espana / Hotel Riu (Spain Building)

As you stand here, amidst the vibrant pulse of Madrid's revitalized Plaza de España, let your gaze sweep upwards, past the bustling avenues and the newly green spaces, until it settles on the monumental edifice before you. This is the Edificio España, a colossus of stone and ambition, now proudly housing the Hotel Riu Plaza España. It's more than just a skyscraper; it's a testament to a pivotal era in Spanish history, a building that has truly lived many lives and continues to redefine Madrid's urban landscape. Erected between 1948 and 1953, the Edificio España emerged from the ashes of a civil war-torn nation, symbolizing the Francoist regime's fervent drive for modernization and a visual declaration of a 'new Spain.' It was conceived as part of a grand urban plan for this very plaza, envisioned by the Otamendi brothers, Joaquín and Julián, to be a self-contained city within a city. Imagine: twenty-eight floors packed with luxury apartments, prestigious offices, a high-end department store, and even a sprawling hotel – a singular address catering to every need and desire, a beacon of progress for a country eager to look forward. Its architectural style is a fascinating blend, drawing inspiration from Madrid's rich Baroque tradition while boldly embracing the verticality and scale of American skyscrapers.