Tourism Breaking News
A spectacular art installation of more than 80,000 red carnations accompanies the highly anticipated grand opening of the main heart of the new international icon of luxury in the capital, Galería Canalejas. On 3 June, the historic doors of the monumental Galería Canalejas buildings will open for the first time to celebrate the opening of new boutiques for the most prestigious international brands in the world. This grand opening has attracted internationally prestigious fashion and beauty brands to Spain for the first time. For example, the famous Aquazzura brand is opening its first boutique in Spain. Galería Canalejas is also the incomparable setting in which the emblematic Swiss watchmaker OMEGA inaugurates in Spain the new international concept of the firm´s boutiques.
Joining these brands will soon open new boutiques at Galería Canalejas for Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo and Giorgio Armani, which is returning to Madrid – at this unbeatable venue – after eight years without a store in the capital. “We are hugely proud to be joined by brands of such great prestige and tradition, and which represent a vision of luxury that is so closely in tune with the one we uphold at Galería Canalejas.
The opening of these brands at Galería Canalejas confirms not only the enormously attractive nature of our project for international luxury brands but also the potential of Madrid as a shopping destination, as well as an indisputable benchmark in culture and gastronomy. Galería Canalejas has already become a benchmark in international luxury and has put Madrid on the map of luxury shopping destinations alongside such capital cities as London, Milan or Paris”, said Isabel Antolín, Director of Galería Canalejas.
Crossing the threshold of the historic building that once housed the Banco Hispano Americano (1902) at Plaza de Canalejas Nº 1 in Madrid, customers and visitors to Galería Canalejas will be able to enjoy both the wealth of historic heritage and some of the more than 17,000 pieces that have been meticulously restored and returned to the buildings of Centro Canalejas Madrid. The majestic original Art Déco style stained glass piece that once oversaw activity in the operations hall of Banco Zaragozano (1940) now shines once again since it has been carefully restored in the central atrium of Galería Canalejas. The historic original mailbox signed by the master Juan José García for Banco Español de Crédito (1920) and the imposing 19-tonne door of the reinforced safe recovered from the underground levels of those banks can now be seen on display in Galería Canalejas for both customers and visitors to enjoy.
In tribute to the city of Madrid and the historic heritage of these buildings, visitors will also be able to continue discovering some of these pieces inside the Hermès boutique, which exhibits the unmistakable green marble counters of the Palacio de la Equitativa, and the boutique of the Italian brand Zegna, which has incorporated an exceptional 1920’s lamp into the design of its boutique as well as plaques with keys to the private safes of Banco Español de Crédito customers, the bank that converted the iconic La Equitativa building into its main headquarters over a century ago.
The Cartier boutique at Galería Canalejas is also unveiling an exquisite tapestry for this occasion and in tribute to the city. The piece depicts a composition in which the iconic panther of the Maison prowls around the Royal Botanical Gardens of Madrid, continuing the great Spanish tradition for hand-made tapestries. With an exclusive selection of brands, a privileged location in the heart of the city and its indisputable historic and architectural heritage, Galería Canalejas has become a new golden mile in Madrid and an essential stop on any journey around the city.
A previously unknown shopping and gastronomy arcade concept in Spain; a global experience in which fashion, luxury, gastronomy, exclusive services and the history of the seven monumental historic buildings that house it all come together to offer unique experiences to its visitors, all within the most authentic and effervescent heart of Madrid.
