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Galería Canalejas reinvents itself with a major luxury spa in Madrid
Galería Canalejas is changing direction in the heart of Madrid. The space is leaving behind its time as a major gastronomic destination and preparing for the arrival of AIRE Ancient Baths, a luxury wellness centre that will occupy the complex’s lower floor and strengthen its offer of exclusive experiences next to Puerta del Sol.
The move marks the end of a stage for the former food hall, which came to bring together up to 13 restaurants and offerings from recognised chefs. Mad Gourmets' departure and the difficulties of catering in that space have led the owners to seek a different model, less centred on eating and more geared towards personal care.
AIRE Ancient Baths will invest €21.5 million in its new Madrid centre. The space will have 2,200 square metres, its own access from Calle Alcalá and a proposal inspired by the tradition of ancient baths, in a format the brand has already brought to cities such as New York and London.
The opening will also affect activity in the surrounding area. The creation of around 100 jobs is planned, a significant figure in an area where tourism, shopping, hotels and catering coexist with constant commercial pressure.
For Galería Canalejas, the change means adjusting its identity within Madrid luxury. The complex no longer wants to depend solely on exclusive shops or a strong gastronomic offering, but to add experiences that lengthen visits and attract a public willing to pay for wellbeing, privacy and special services.
The location works in the project's favour. Between Calle Alcalá and Carrera de San Jerónimo, very close to Sol, Galería Canalejas occupies an enclave of enormous visibility, connected to hotels, offices, shopping areas and tourist routes in the centre.
The building also contributes part of the appeal. The complex is integrated into the historic Palacio de la Equitativa, a space that has changed use and profile since its commercial reopening, with Hermès as one of the first major brands to set up there.
The arrival of AIRE Ancient Baths offers a clear sign of how luxury is evolving in Madrid: it is no longer only about buying or dining in exclusive places. Experience, time to disconnect and the ability to turn an emblematic building in the centre into a destination to stay in, rather than merely pass through, carry increasing weight.