La Unión y el Fénix Español building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids La Unión y el Fénix Español building |
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Edificio La Unión y el Fénix Español
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| General information | |
| Town or city | Madrid |
| Country | Spain |
| Coordinates | 40°25′5.77″N 3°41′57.56″W / 40.4182694°N 3.6993222°W |
| Construction started | 1928 |
| Completed | 1931 |
| Height | 53 m |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Modesto López Otero |
The La Unión y el Fénix Español building is a famous landmark in Madrid, Spain. It was built to be the main office for an old insurance company called "La Unión y el Fénix Español". This building was one of the very first skyscrapers ever built in Madrid! Since 2006, it has been home to the "Petit Palace Alcalá Torre" hotel, which is part of a modern technology company.
Contents
Building Location and History
This impressive building stands at the corner of Alcalá street and Virgen de los Peligros street. Construction began in 1928 and finished in 1931. The main architect behind its design was a Spanish architect named Modesto López Otero. He worked with Miguel de los Santos on the project.
The company that built it was Valentín Vallhonrat. The land for the building was bought for two million pesetas in 1928. A peseta was the money used in Spain before the Euro.
Special Design Features
One important part of the building's design was making sure it looked good next to the nearby Las Calatravas church. The architects wanted the new skyscraper to fit in well with the older church. Together, they create a unique look for that part of the city.
The building is 12 stories tall. Its roof reaches a height of 173 feet (53 meters). This makes it quite a tall structure for its time.
The Phoenix Sculpture
On top of the building, there is a special sculpture. It shows a Phoenix bird. A phoenix is a mythical bird that rises from ashes. This sculpture was made by someone known as "sculptor Camps." However, it is not clear if this refers to Vicente Camps Bru or Josep Maria Camps i Arnau.
Architect's Style
The design of this building shows how Modesto López Otero's style changed over time. His earlier work was more "regionalist eclectic." This means it mixed different local styles. After he traveled to places like the United States and Vienna, his style became more "mature." The La Unión y el Fénix Español building is one of his most famous works.
Getting There
If you want to visit the area, the closest Metro station is Sevilla. It is on line 2 of the Madrid Metro system.
See also
In Spanish: Edificio La Unión y el Fénix Español (Madrid) para niños
