Legazpi Market is reborn as an administrative centre for Madrid

Madrid continues to write new chapters in its urban history. The former Mercado de Frutas y Verduras de Legazpi, a symbol of Madrid's commerce in the XX century, is set for a transformation that will turn it into a major administrative centre for the City Council. The renovation, which will preserve the original concrete structure, will allow up to 2,500 municipal employees to be brought together in a renewed space that prioritises sustainability and heritage conservation. With an investment of 77.8 million euros, the project aims not only to optimise public management but also to revitalise the Arganzuela neighbourhood. The new headquarters will occupy more than 46,000 square metres of built space, organised around a large public square that will connect the building with the urban environment. The restoration work includes the creation of open-plan offices, training rooms, multipurpose spaces, and an underground car park, all following an aesthetic that engages with the original rationalist design of the market. The entire complex is scheduled for completion in 2027, although some areas will be operational from the second half of 2026. Inaugurated in 1935 as part of the modernisation of municipal markets, the Mercado de Legazpi was a pioneer in the large-scale use of reinforced concrete in Madrid. Today, its restoration symbolises a new era: a bridge between the city's industrial past and its future as a modern, inclusive capital.