Constructed between 1905 and 1911 by French architects Jules and Raymond Fever, the Metropolis is a magnificent example of the French eclecticism that characterized early 20th-century Madrilenian architecture. Its construction not only anticipated the opening of Gran Vía but also set the aesthetic standard for what would become the capital's most famous boulevard.
Originally conceived as the headquarters for the insurance company Unión y el Fénix Español, the building initially featured a Phoenix bird, a symbol of rebirth. However, after the property was sold, this figure was replaced by the current winged Victory, a work by sculptor Federico Coullaut Valera, which now crowns the structure and has become one of Spain's most recognizable icons.
The golden and luminous figure has become one of Madrid's most recognized symbols. From Gran Vía or Alcalá Street, tourists and Madrilenians barely give it more than a fleeting glance as they pass by — as the book from which this article is based laments — without stopping to contemplate the eleven groups of allegorical figures decorating the facade and the scenes narrated by the eleven groups on the cornice.
Despite being a private building, used for offices and not open to the public, its impressive exterior is freely viewable. Its unmistakable profile has made it a recurring backdrop in numerous films, series, and advertisements shot in Madrid, solidifying its status as an essential tourist and architectural landmark on any tour of the city center.
The Metropolis Building, declared a Site of Cultural Interest (BIC), is a testament to Madrid's rich architectural heritage, a city that, like Paris with its boulevards, built its Gran Vía with ambition and a clear scenic vocation, transforming the urban landscape into an undeniable cultural legacy.
