Four Seasons Hotel Madrid officially inaugurated yesterday the Royal Suite, the ‘pearl’ of Centro Canalejas
The Royal Suite is located on the first floor, on the chamfered corner between Alcalá and Sevilla streets. Centro Canalejas (2021) is one of the most significant urban development projects undertaken in Europe in recent decades. It encompasses the restoration of seven historic buildings with the aim of creating a luxury hotel operated by the Four Seasons chain, an exclusive retail area and high-end housing.
The Royal Suite has remained virtually intact since the construction of the building in 1887, and has been restored in situ. It is not only a physical space, but also forms part of the social and economic memory of Madrid and Spain. Its 431 square metres housed the Casino de Madrid, as well as the boardroom and the office of the president of the now defunct Banco Español de Crédito, which was eventually absorbed by Banco Santander in 1994.
“This is a unique work. It is unlikely that anything similar will be repeated due to its architectural, technical and administrative difficulty and the deployment of resources. Centro Canalejas is the flagship of the new Madrid, and the Royal Suite is its figurehead. It represents an example of respect for history and an engagement with the present and the future,” reflects Carlos Lamela, executive president of Estudio Lamela.
The interior design of the Royal Suite was conceptualised by BAMO (San Francisco) and built by BG Arquitectura (Madrid).
