Antonio Palacios conceived the Banco Mercantil e Industrial. This landmark stands as one of the first buildings of the post-war period, where Palacios managed to balance monumental masonry with expansive glass windows on a restricted plot of 1425 square meters.
The facade on Calle de Alcalá presents a triumphal arch integrated into the street wall. Palacios detailed the base of the giant order columns with bronze, while the adjacent street features stainless steel in one of the first works of Palacios that employs it in a facade. One might also notice how the upper penthouse echoes the nearby Círculo de Bellas Artes through its distinctive row of columns.
Following a 2002 renovation, the building became a new space of offices. It now hosts Sala Alcalá 31, a public gallery dedicated to contemporary art. You are invited to explore the exhibits located within the central vault and the first floor of the gallery space.
Entry to the art gallery is free and open to everyone.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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