Gate of Europe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Europe Gate / Europe's Gate
Puerta de Europa (Europa's Gate)
General information
Status	Complete
Type	Office
Location	Paseo de la Castellana 189/216, Madrid, Spain
Coordinates	40°27′59″N 3°41′16″W / 40.46639°N 3.68778°W / 40.46639; -3.68778
Construction started	1989
Completed	1996
Owner	CaixaBank and Realia
Height
Roof	114 m (374 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	26
Lifts/elevators	8
Design and construction
Architect	Philip Johnson, John Burgee
Developer	Kuwait Investment Authority
Structural engineer	Leslie E. Robertson Associates, RLLP, New York
Main contractor	FCC

The Gate of Europe towers (Spanish: Puerta de Europa, - Door of Europe-), also known as KIO Towers (Torres KIO), are twin office buildings near the Plaza de Castilla in Madrid, Spain. The towers have a height of 114 m (374 ft) and have 26 floors. They were constructed from 1989 to 1996. The Puerta de Europa is the second tallest twin towers in Spain after the Torres de Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

The Gate of Europe towers were designed by the American architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee, built by Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas and commissioned by the Kuwait Investment Office (hence their initial name "Torres KIO" or "KIO Towers"). Leslie E. Robertson Associates, RLLP New York (LERA) provided structural engineering services. Each building is 115 m tall with an inclination of 15°, making them the first inclined skyscrapers in the world. They are located near the Chamartín railway station, on the sides of the Plaza de Castilla bus station, north from the Paseo de la Castellana and near the Cuatro Torres Business Area (CTBA).

After the receivership of Grupo Torras, KIO had to sell the buildings, which are now owned by CaixaBank and Realia.

The west tower has a rooftop helicopter pad outlined in blue; the east tower has a red one.

See also

In Spanish: Puerta de Europa para niños

• Inclined building