Galería Canalejas: the new Eden of luxury in the centre of Madrid

Galería Canalejas: the new Eden of luxury in the centre of Madrid.

And then came the carnations. It happened in the old Palacio de la Equitativa in Madrid. The building that was in the early 1900s the financial heart of the capital, housing the Banco Español de Crédito, was covered with more than 80,000 red carnations. The reason for this spectacular artistic installation was the inauguration of the new international icon of luxury, the Canalejas Gallery. The surroundings of Madrid’s Plaza de Canalejas are once again bustling as in the past, hosting an exquisite space that combines luxury, gastronomy, history and culture.

The welcome event was designed and produced by Wozere. In it, carnations overflowed in abundance on the façade, the columns and the staircase. This quintessential Madrilenian flower, so reminiscent of the capital’s festivities, was chosen to convey a sense of luxury. Inside, the thirteen restaurants that make up the Food Hall of Galería Canalejas offered their most emblematic dishes in a single joint bar under silver bells. The rest of the evening was seasoned with piano and timpani concerts, which ended up creating an unforgettable experience.

The ambitious project, which is located in the centrally located Canalejas building (between Alcalá and Sevilla streets), began to re-emerge in 2020 after the opening of the luxury Four Seasons hotel and the Hermès boutique. In this new phase, it will be home to some forty new international boutiques offering an exclusive range of luxury, accessories, cosmetics, fine jewellery and watches from the world’s most prestigious brands.

An iconic event as the first Aquazzura boutique will open in Spain, one of the most powerful attractions of these new luxury department stores, and the reopening of the only Armani shop in the capital, after eight years closed. The list of emblematic brands that will see the light of day this spring and in the run-up to September is difficult to match: Louis Vuitton, Maison Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Dior, Zegna, Jimmy Choo, Omega and Rolex. On the main floor there is also the Beauty Gallery by Isolée, a large open stand where you can discover the latest trends in make-up and cosmetics, with a wide range of signature perfumes.

As soon as you cross the threshold of this historic building, you feel as if you are in heaven. Here we enjoy the wealth of historical heritage and some of the more than 17,000 ornamental pieces that have been meticulously restored. Our favourite part is undoubtedly the majestic original art deco stained glass window, first lit in 1940, which is the eye-catcher in the central atrium of Galería Canalejas. The original historic letterbox was signed by master craftsman Juan José García for the Banco Español de Crédito in 1920. But nothing is as impressive as the imposing 19-tonne vault door, recovered from the underground part of the banks hidden underfoot.

An iconic event as the first Aquazzura boutique will open in Spain, one of the most powerful attractions of these new luxury department stores, and the reopening of the only Armani shop in the capital, after eight years closed.

An ode to the city of Madrid and the historical heritage of its buildings. We discovered more surprises inside the Hermès boutique, which displays the distinctive green marble counters of the Equitativa building. On the ceiling of the Italian Zegna boutique hangs an exceptional chandelier from 1920, and plaques with the keys to the private safes of the clients of the Banco Español de Crédito, which more than a century ago made La Equitativa its headquarters. The walls of the Cartier boutique feature an exquisite tapestry depicting the Maison’s iconic panther strolling through Madrid’s Royal Botanical Gardens, a nod to Spain’s great tapestry tradition.

An essential stop on any tour of the city, due to the exclusive selection of brands at Galería Canalejas, but also because of its undeniable historical, architectural and, of course, gastronomic interest. The Food Hall of Galería Canalejas is the new epicentre of haute cuisine in Madrid. This 4,000 square metre space occupies one of the three floors of the building, and has thirteen restaurants of different styles and nationalities, bars and gourmet shops. A place to enjoy everything from more prosaic dishes to concepts created specifically for this unique place by renowned chefs such as Julián Mármol and Rubén Arnanz.

Among the Spanish gastronomy proposals you will be able to taste, for the first time in a space, DBellota and Cinco Jotas Iberian hams, or see why St. James rice dishes are the most renowned in Madrid. Or delight yourself with the best of Galicia at the Garelos tavern and sweeten up at El Goloso with traditional handmade pastries. If you’re looking for an international experience, Salvaje will captivate you with the most revolutionary side of Japanese gastronomy, and Le Petit Dim Sum with its innovative take on ancient Chinese cuisine. A trip around Europe? You’ll find a taste of Italy at Davvero, with traditional recipes and fresh pasta, and at Amorino’s gelatos. From France, Daniel Sorlut brings you oysters chosen by the best chefs in the world.

However, the finishing touch to complete the luxury experience offered by Galería Canalejas is undoubtedly its exclusive services that place emotions at the centre. Among its rooms of neutral and earthy colours, and top quality materials masterfully combined, services are offered for only the most special clients. For example, a VIP room for meetings or assistance from stylists and personal shoppers. All these services are designed to offer visitors a unique experience and give them the opportunity to enjoy everything that this prestigious shopping gallery has to offer, brought together in a project that encompasses the areas of architecture, design and interior design. A work carried out by Wozere in collaboration with BMice and RAL.

An essential stop on any tour of the city, due to the exclusive selection of brands in Galería Canalejas, but also because of its undisputed historical and architectural interest. So much so that some people are already daring to call it the new golden mile of Madrid – respecting, at all times, the authentic one located between Serrano and Ortega y Gasset.