Palacio de los Condes de Armíldez de Toledo, Madrid

Palacio de los Condes de Armíldez de Toledo is a historic city palace in Madrid, standing on the corner of Calle San Lucas and Calle Luis de Góngora, right in the heart of the Spanish capital. It's one of many 19th-century noble townhouses that still shape the character of central Madrid's streets.

What is the history behind this building?

The building was constructed in 1857 to a design by architect Jerónimo de la Gándara, originally as an elegant residential townhouse typical of this part of Madrid at the time. Its current palatial appearance, however, is the result of later changes.

In 1885 the property was bought by the Counts of Armíldez de Toledo, who commissioned a thorough remodeling from architect Francisco de Cubas, Marquis of Cubas — one of the most respected architects working in Madrid at the time. He gave the building its present form: reworking the façades, adding a third floor, and introducing Italianate decorative details that were fashionable among Madrid's aristocracy in that period. The modest townhouse was transformed into a genuine urban palace through this remodeling.

The building underwent further, smaller renovations in 1908, 1913 and 1917, carried out by architect Joaquín Saldaña, refining details without altering the essential composition established during the 1880s remodeling. In some sources the building also appears under the name Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma, reflecting its later ownership history.

How do you get there?

The palace sits in central Madrid, in an area well connected to the rest of the city and within comfortable walking distance of major thoroughfares such as Gran Vía and the Chueca district. Given its location within dense central blocks, the metro or a walk are the most practical ways to reach it — parking a car nearby is difficult, as is typical throughout central Madrid.

What will you see there?

The main draw is the façade itself — a fine example of elegant 19th-century palatial architecture with clear Italian influences. Visitors can spot the floor division introduced during Francisco de Cubas's remodeling, richly framed windows, and stucco details that give the building a festive, representative character quite different from its more modest mid-19th-century origins. The building is privately owned and not open to the public for interior visits, so the façade viewed from street level remains the main point of interest for passersby and architecture enthusiasts alike.

When is the best time to visit?

Since the main attraction here is the exterior architecture, the building can be admired at any time of year. Visiting during daylight hours is recommended, as natural light best highlights the façade's details and the stucco work added during the 1880s remodeling. It makes for a good stop while exploring central Madrid, often combined with other examples of palatial architecture in the surrounding streets.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the palace? No, the building is privately owned and not open to the public — it can only be admired from the outside.

Who designed the building's current appearance? The original 1857 design was by Jerónimo de la Gándara, but the palatial look seen today comes from the 1885 remodeling carried out by Francisco de Cubas, Marquis of Cubas.

Why is the building also called Casa-palacio del Marqués de Viluma? This alternative name comes from the property's later ownership history, and the building is sometimes referred to this way in sources about Madrid's palatial architecture.

What else is worth noticing besides the façade? Look out for the third floor added during the 1885 remodeling and the Italianate decorative details — these are the elements that most clearly distinguish the building's current appearance from its more modest mid-19th-century original form.