Discover the Architectural Treasure of Madrid preserved by Coldwell Banker Unique Real Estate

We are very excited to announce the upcoming opening of the second Coldwell Banker franchise in the city of Madrid. This franchise is named Coldwell Banker Unique Real Estate and will focus on the Salamanca and Retiro neighborhoods.

The real estate agency, Coldwell Banker Unique Real Estate, is located in one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in all of Madrid, the Salamanca neighborhood. The opening of this agency has stirred up a lot of media attention because the building it occupies is considered a masterpiece of brutalist architecture in Madrid.

All alarms went off when rumors spread that the former shoe store, designed by architect Francisco, might disappear due to its sale to Coldwell Banker. The acquisition of this property by our franchisees, Manuel Raseijas and Ximena Alborta, was precisely because they considered it to have architectural value, and their intention is to preserve it and put it to use while respecting the original work as much as possible. Both franchisees share a passion for art, architecture, and design. They emphasize that Coldwell Banker is a globally renowned real estate firm specializing in luxury properties. Therefore, they believe that the revitalization of this unique property and its restoration to make it habitable again are essential aspects of their business commitment.

In reality, the history of this place is quite unusual. Initially, it was conceived as a shoe store project designed by architect Francisco Alonso at the request of footwear entrepreneur Manuel Losada in 1987. Although the store never opened its doors to the public, it was almost completed, and its uniqueness was evident through abstract compositions on its walls, using materials such as black Calatorao marble, red Almería travertine, green Iranian onyx, and iroko wood. One of the most notable peculiarities is that the pieces were not joined with cement but assembled on top of each other, almost like a puzzle.

After its construction and the failure to open to the public, the property remained closed for decades, visited only by photographers and architects. However, from 2017 to 2021, a partial opening of the space was achieved through an agreement with the School of Architecture in Toledo, which transformed it into an exhibition hall. Now, after decades of such a unique history, it seems that its destiny is decided: it will become an exclusive luxury real estate agency under the name Coldwell Banker Unique.