Royal Asturian Mining Company

Located between Bailén Street and Plaza de España, this imposing building in the monumental eclectic or Alfonsine style (named after Alfonso XII) was built between 1895 and 1899 by the architect Manuel Martínez Ángel to house the headquarters of the Belgian company Real Compañía Asturiana de Minas. Since 1977, it has been a Site of Cultural Interest of the Community of Madrid, with the category of Monument. The building is divided into two rectangular wings situated on either side of a central core crowned by a domed tower, which houses a grand imperial staircase. The ground floor was used as a warehouse, and the three upper floors as apartments and offices, with a combination of stone and brick on the first two levels. The top floor has dormer windows with slate roofs which, along with the turrets with helmet-shaped domes, are reminiscent of French architecture. It preserves magnificent classicist stained glass windows in the staircase and entrance hall, made by Maumejean in 1899. The building was acquired at the end of the 20th century by Mutua Madrileña Automovilística and between 1988 and 2009 it was the headquarters of the Ministry of Culture of the Community of Madrid, under a lease agreement. It has also hosted several exhibitions, such as Street Art in 2006, Casa Decor in 2012, and Terracotta Army – The Warriors of Xian in 2013. Following a rehabilitation process that began in 2024 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, the building will be transformed into a bright and open space that will host cultural and social activities and events. It will be the future headquarters of the Mutua Madrileña Foundation, joining the recently renovated Plaza de España and the opening of the Royal Collections Gallery. The new center will feature exhibition halls spread over three floors, classrooms and workshops, and, most notably, an auditorium with a capacity of over 200 people.