Carlos Guisasola Madrid

Madrid

Updated Wednesday, February 7, 2024-00:10

  • Community Two decades between the Aguirre Campus and the Ayuso City of Justice: 680 million euros for a project that will conclude (finally) in 2028

Before summer, the Columbus Towers will be "updated." That was the priority objective for which Mutua Madrileña, owner of the property, began the rehabilitation works just before the Covid pandemic. And starting in the summer, in the second half of the year, its new tenant will land: the prestigious law firm

Garrigues

. More than 700 people will walk through its halls. Its "unmatched showcase" made it possible for the emblematic building, with half a century of life and three renovations behind it (the last in 1992), to have another extra life. There was no need to even promote it. "It is the most modern office building in Madrid," those who have closely followed the evolution of the project, designed by the

Luis Vidal + Architects

studio and executed by the

Dragados

company, emphasize to this newspaper .

Although there have been many companies that have fantasized about inhabiting one of its 30 floors (they say that between 15 and 20 companies), the fact that the law firm is the sole tenant was decisive. Also the rental contract for the next 12 years, that is, until 2036. "It was a quick negotiation," they slip as the only detail. No figures have been released regarding the rent, but there is an estimate that, in that specific part of the capital, the price for renting a square meter of office space could rise to

50 euros

. Therefore, taking into account that we are talking about a total area of

​​20,298 square meters

, the amount would be around one million euros per month.

The external design of the towers is already completed, but in the coming weeks the interior details will be finished. And it will be the Garrigues office itself that designs and decides what the hallways and offices will be like, although that investment will logically be borne by Mutua Madrileña. When the new tenant disembarks in Colón, already in the second half of the year, everything has to be found as they have requested, as an indispensable part of the contract they have signed.

The Torres de Colón, during the rehabilitation.EM

It is the last step of works that began in 2020 to renovate that skyscraper popularly known as the socket, the work of architect

Antonio Lamela

. An investment of 65 million euros was anticipated, but spending has grown due to external circumstances. For example, at the very beginning of the intervention, the materials crisis and its increase in cost due to the blockade of the Suez Canal or the conflict in Ukraine. Although they expected it to be ready for 2022, it will not be until before this summer, two years later, when they will be completed.

One of the most exclusive elements has been the curved glass (installed one by one) in the lower body and upper part of the Towers, manufactured in Spain. The aim was to emphasize verticality, separating the new part from the existing part. For this reason, among other things, this 117-meter-high building, owned by Mutua Madrileña since

1995

, is one of the new icons of the city, not only for its aesthetics... And it will only use electrical energy of renewable origin. , in addition to consuming 60% less energy than a conventional building, which, as stated yesterday in the official note, will allow it to generate practically zero CO2 emissions, compared to the around 1,000 tons of CO2 per year that a building can emit. conventional with similar characteristics. They add that almost 10% of the energy it consumes will be generated in the building itself. Hence, the property has

Well

certification (best design and construction practices),

Leed

(international efficiency and sustainability standards) and ECCN acronym for energy efficiency.

Two terraces of 2,500 square meters

Apart from its central location, the law firm was seduced by two terraces of almost 2,500 square meters, on the 3rd and 25th floors, which can be used for meetings, training or rest spaces. "Environmental quality and open spaces are highly demanded by professionals, which will allow the firm to attract and retain the best talent," they suggest to this newspaper. The building has an auditorium with capacity for about 150 people and which will have access to a garden patio.

Close-up of the Columbus Towers.EM

The client will also be able to have exclusive and independent areas for private use, an essential part of this vital confidentiality for companies like Garrigues.

There is also a parking area with

120 spaces

, a notable number when the building was built, and which now, with this search to promote public transport, will be more than enough. Because, in addition, they will be rotating, as if it were a public parking lot. Previously, through an application, you will be able to know if there is a place available or not.

"In a way, the idea is that you don't want to leave the office," is the last stitch they add to those new Torres de Colón that are preparing to welcome the new tenant. They will do so after four years of intense works and a redesign that affects the entire environment in the center of Madrid, where some looked askance at that outlet that is now outdated.