About the Venue

ESPACIO Fundación Telefónica
Calle Fuencarral, 3
Centro, 28004 Madrid
Spain

Did you know…?

The Telefónica building at Fuencarral 3, with construction commencing in 1926, was designed by Luis Ignacio de Cárdenas and completed in just three years. Soaring to nearly 90 meters in height with 13 floors, it became Europe’s tallest building upon its 1930 completion. The Gothic facade and industrial layout marked a revolutionary shift in Madrid’s architectural style.

The building’s historical significance includes the 1928 transoceanic call from Madrid to Washington, where King Alfonso XIII conversed with US President Calvin Coolidge. The communication required 8,000 kilometers of circuits and 30 repeaters. During the Spanish Civil War, the Telefónica building sheltered 2,000 refugees in its basements.

Situated in Madrid’s heart, the Telefónica building is a monumental structure with Emilio Sordellí as its designer. Built with 2,280 square meters, including two basements, a ground floor, and thirteen additional floors, it boasts three facades along Fuencarral Street, Gran Vía, and Valverde Street. The neobaroque facade facing Gran Vía, inspired by 18th-century Madrid Baroque, stands at 89.30 meters and features 660 windows. Despite criticism for its proportions due to limited street space, this architectural gem remains a testament to Madrid’s rich history. Havana even replicated the building for the Cuban Telephone Company’s headquarters.