In the bustling heart of Madrid's financial district stands an architectural marvel that has become a symbol of modernity and progress—the Torre Picasso. This towering skyscraper, located in the AZCA complex near the Paseo de la Castellana, is an iconic fixture in the city’s skyline and a testament to innovative design and engineering prowess.
The story of Torre Picasso begins in 1974 when the project was commissioned by the Explosivos Río Tinto (ERT) group, which owned the land where the tower now stands. However, construction did not commence until January 1980. The project faced several setbacks, including financial difficulties that halted work in 1984. Despite these challenges, the tower was finally inaugurated in January 1989, marking a new era for Madrid's architectural landscape. For a time, it held the title of the tallest building in both Madrid and Spain, surpassing the Torre de Madrid, until it was eventually eclipsed by the skyscrapers of the CTBA (Cuatro Torres Business Area).
Torre Picasso is the brainchild of the renowned American-Japanese architect Minoru Yamasaki, who also designed the now-departed World Trade Center in New York City. The resemblance between the two structures is striking, with Torre Picasso echoing the sleek, modern lines and white finishes of its American counterpart. The Spanish architectural team led by Jordi Mir Valls and Rafael Coll Pujol adapted Yamasaki’s design to meet local regulations, while the final project oversight was handled by Genaro Alas and Pedro Casariego Hernández-Vaquero, with Fernando Cid García contributing his engineering expertise.
One of the most striking features of Torre Picasso is its grand entrance arch, which supports the entire façade above it. This arch is reinforced with an underground steel structure, ensuring both stability and aesthetic appeal. The space beneath the arch is covered with STADIP safety glass, the same type used in Barcelona’s Torre Agbar, providing both security and a modern look.
The tower's rectangular footprint measures 38 by 50 meters, with a total area of 121,000 square meters, of which 71,700 square meters are dedicated to office space. The interior layout is open-plan, allowing for flexible use of the space. The central core houses 18 elevators, four staircases, technical rooms, restrooms, and a 120-square-meter chimney for venting gases from the AZCA underground network. The top floors contain cooling towers and the hydraulic system for air conditioning, with the 45th floor housing the elevator machinery and a helipad on the roof.
Torre Picasso boasts 18 high-speed elevators divided into three groups, each serving different floor ranges. The first group covers floors 1 to 18 at a speed of 2.5 meters per second, the second group serves floors 18 to 32 at 4 meters per second, and the third group reaches floors 32 to 43 at a swift 6 meters per second, making them the fastest elevators in Spain. Additionally, the building offers 837 parking spaces and accommodates approximately 6,000 workers daily, with an additional 1,500 visitors.
Today, Torre Picasso is home to several prestigious companies, including global giants like Google and Deloitte. Its prime location and state-of-the-art facilities make it a sought-after address for businesses looking to establish a strong presence in Madrid.
The tower's history includes a dramatic episode involving the terrorist group ETA, which in 2002 revealed plans to target Torre Picasso with two van bombs carrying 1,700 kilograms of explosives. Fortunately, the Spanish Civil Guard intercepted the vehicles near Calatayud, preventing a potential catastrophe.
Torre Picasso has also made its mark in popular culture. It served as a filming location for the 1997 Spanish movie Abre los ojos directed by Alejandro Amenábar. The building has also inspired music, featuring prominently in the song La Torre Picasso by the band Arde Bogotá, released as a single in September 2024.
In conclusion, Torre Picasso is more than just a skyscraper; it is a symbol of Madrid's evolution into a modern metropolis. Its impressive design, rich history, and central role in the business community make it a must-see for visitors and a point of pride for locals. Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, Torre Picasso offers a glimpse into the dynamic spirit of Madrid.
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