The works of Antonio Palacios photographed by Jesús M.Chamizo

Some of works projected by this magnificent architect, who from 1900 to 1945 transformed the appearance of Madrid completely, (“Palacio de Comunicaciones/Ayuntamiento de Madrid”, “Círculo de Bellas Artes”, “Instituto Cervantes”, “Hospital de Jornaleros de Maudes”, “ Casa Matesanz/ Gran Vía 27”, etc… 

These images of Jesús M. Chamizo, along with others, are exhibited in the hall and the 9 floors of the building Gran Via 27, where the restoration has recently be completed. A completed rehabilitation in which there have been demolitions, structural reinforcements and new distributions, giving the building new facilities and lifts. Floors and ceilings, and also the corresponding liners were placed and the original decoration of the common areas have been recovered and restoring the façades, where all the windows were replaced, including its magnificent curved viewpoints. This building represents the architectural influence of the Chicago school in the architecture of Madrid.

Antonio Palacios performed some of the best known works of the city of Madrid. In the beginning his style followed the Viennese secessionism, evolving later into an architectural regionalism in which the Hispanic roots of Manueline and Plateresque styles were mixed, also reflecting the influences of expressionism. He was an expert in the use of stone in construction, especially in granite, a construction system on which he based his style, using stone with very different treatments.

Many of his works have stood the test of time thanks to the architectural renovations that have allowed to change their original functions and adapt them to host the offices of private and state organizations, now being an important part of the image of the city. Most of them are between Puerta del Sol and Alcala Street, where stands the Palace of Telecommunications, built together with Joaquín Otamendi, and the building of the Círculo de Bellas Artes. The latter is a personal solution for the construction of a tall building in which each floor, with its uses and character, is reflected in the volume and exterior nature, so that the building is decreasing while increasing height, to finish in the tower of studies.

Antonio Palacios was also commissioned to design the first metro stations in Madrid, although now there is almost no trace of his image. But despite its relationship with Madrid, he continued to remain very close to Galicia, where he made some important works. In his later years he began to stand out as urban planner, although many of his projects were visionary and they were not built. He was Member of the Board of Urbanism of Madrid for twenty years. In his reflections on the urban future of the city he sensed a new kernel in the western part, which would be connected to the rest of the city by a kind of "Aereal Gran Vía".