House of Gallardo

Located close to Plaza de España, this building is one of the key pieces of the final stages of the Madrid Modernism. The work of the architect Federico Arias Rey, it was designed in 1911 as a remodeling of an older building. It was declared Cultural Heritage Monument in 1997.

The building starts off with Art Nouveau and incorporates diverse elements for a delicately elegant finish. The façade, with soft curves and beautiful decorative elements is the most striking element of the building showing us the sculptor within the architect. Light colors of the walls are in contrast to the dark slate tiles of the roof. On the great dome that sits atop the corner of the building stands the latter G, for Gallardo, in tribute to its first owners, the sisters Esperanza and Asunción Gallardo.

Today, the building is home to Club Allard, a private members club founded in the year 2000, which has been open to the general public since 2003 thanks to its restaurant,which is currently run by the outstanding chef Martín Berasategui, who has already earned him a Michelin star and a Sol Repsol.