Isabel Antolín, the woman behind Galería Canalejas: "Being compared to Harrods is an honor"

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There are not many places in the world where you can access a luxury shopping center from your hotel through a safe.

This is what is going to happen in just a few months at

the new benchmark for luxury in the capital, which will be connected to the

hotel through that special passage, the original 19-ton safe that in the early 1900s guarded the securities of Banco Hispano Americano.

It is just one of the exclusive

offered by this

in Madrid, an entire luxury complex anchored in excellence that is based on seven historic buildings, three of them considered to be of cultural interest.

A complicated and complex project that little by little sees the light;

In December, the

the gastronomic proposal, with 13 restaurants of all nationalities, a few Michelin stars and a French oyster bar with champagne.

At the end of this spring it will be the turn of the commercial gallery, with 30 authentic luxury fashion firms, including

and

, which are added to those already operating:

and

.

From the Four Seasons you enter through this safe, which guests access with their room key.Antonio Heredia

A project in which more than 1,500 people of 18 different nationalities will work.

"Luxury is global, from the people who serve you," says

, the woman behind this entire complex, its new Retail Director who arrives endorsed by her career in another top-level benchmark, the Mexican Palacio del Iron.

The intention is to achieve a luxury corridor, in the style of the rest of European capitals.

"In all the big cities it exists. In Milan, the

is a destination in itself for tourists,

in London or

in Paris. This is what Galerias Canalejas has to represent here, there is an institutional will from the City Council and of the Community for

this area and give it all the splendor it deserves.

The surname of the gallery is Madrid.

The intention is to recover the center," says Isabel Antolín.

the new golden mile

In this new golden mile of the city, Galería Canalejas represents a "

proposal of luxury, fashion,

, culture, history... It is what we represent, a project that does not exist in other parts of the world and that aims to place Madrid at the top of world

, which is where we have to be".

But where are we right now in relation to the rest of European capitals?

"We are climbing towards the

. From 1 to 10, we get a B, and in a few years we will reach A. It is an honor to be compared to a century-old institution like

," he explains.

Helical staircase that connects the Food Hall with the commercial gallery. Antonio Heredia

To do this, in addition to the safes and various capitals, which will serve as

for mythical objects, "from a

super necklace to the emblematic bag of a brand," says Antolín, 8,000 historical pieces and 16,000 meters of façade have been recovered , now integrated into the building, along with all sorts of

details , like the huge hand-blown glass chandeliers.

That

is something else is clear from the beginning, when you are greeted by a doorman dressed in a cape from Seseña, the flagship house that makes them for Bill Clinton or Woody Allen.

Also their gloves and the umbrellas they use are made by artisans.

"Everything is part of the philosophy of

the centuries-old shops that add

to the city. Today

is more than just shopping, it is a

," says Antolín.

an inclusive luxury

And how would an expert in the field define it?

"There is no single definition, it has many more edges than what we understand as

traditional, classic

and open to all generations, it is exclusive but at the same time it must be inclusive. It is heritage but

, "he says.

Because attracting

is the new goal.

"Any brand that does not have a high percentage of them in its customer base is falling behind, they will represent a large percentage of luxury in the next five years. And you have to be

, they are driven by values ​​and how they

with the brand, then they go to the product.

Entrance to the Food Hall of Canalejas Gallery. Antonio Heredia

When it comes to being inclusive, isn't it impressive to find a 'doorman' at the door?

She says it's a space for everyone, but this reception is impressive... "There's everything," laughs Isabel, "from people who take a photo and enter others who are a little scared. But the

is a place for everyone. Everyone is

. In the long run it will be like in

, the 'doorman' is part of its idiosyncrasy. Here it is also a plus, people will get used to seeing it and then they will end up greeting you and calling you by name. This is a place for any type of

and

;

you can have a beer and a tapa from 15 euros, a coffee, an ice cream... up to €350, with everything that goes with it and entails.

There is a space for every occasion.

glamor and management

For now, Isabel Antolín brings "a different and quite

vision" to the project , because luxury and fashion also have an economic side.

"They don't exist without

, but they don't exist without management either," she points out.

That's why she her mantra: "In another place things are done differently and they work. We see it."

And beyond the

, her day to day is pure

.

"Businesses need profitability and results," says Antolín, who defines herself as

and consistent.

Isabel Antolín in front of Salvaje. Antonio Heredia

What is the most expensive thing we can buy at Galería Canalejas? There is no limit to what can be achieved.

For this there is the impossible management part, anything will be searched for.

And I don't know if it will be the most expensive, but what will have the most value will be the experience.

That one doesn't have a price tag. And what's the cheapest? In addition to their icons, brands have other products.

For example, at Hermès they have lipstick for €60, and that's also luxury.Galería Canalejas is going to become the new benchmark for luxury in Madrid.

What is Isabel Antolín's role model? I'm a big fan of Michelle Obama.

Without going into political assessments, attending an Obama rally changed my perspective.

It marked me so much that I later followed up on the couple.

And Michelle is fantastic, she has things that I stay with;

If I'm here, it's to be noticed.

Isabel,

by profession and a retailer at heart, has three children born in Mexico, the oldest nine years old.

And that also conditions her day.

"As for conciliation, we ourselves are the ones who sometimes boycott each other. I always say that I am the

of my life. And as such I consider it: I have this business [the family] and this other."

And in the latter, her goal is clear: "In 10 years, Galería Canalejas is going to be a

for world luxury, a mandatory stop for locals and tourists alike."

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