Columbus Towers
Madrid, Spain
28.298 m²
Built area
30
Number of plants
117 m
Height
Offices
Building type
The Colón Towers, one of Madrid’s most recognisable architectural landmarks since their inauguration in 1976, have undergone a comprehensive structural rehabilitation and expansion that adds five new floors without increasing the building’s overall height.
Their refurbishment posed a major engineering challenge due to the original suspended floor structural system, in which all floors from level 4 to level 24 hang from four large post tensioned beams at roof level.
The works included the removal of the “enchufe” (plug) structure and the external evacuation staircase installed in the 1990s, as well as the complete dismantling of the façades and interior finishes.
Critical interventions were carried out, such as foundation underpinning 6 levels below ground, using micropiles, reinforcement of the communication cores by means of internal and external enlargements with vertical post tensioning, and the rehabilitation of façade structural ties.
The extension incorporates a new vertical communication core with seven elevators, suspended lobbies to connect both towers which during execution were lifted from level 26, and a five storey steel superstructure that defines the renewed architectural image of the building.
Project data
Project data
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Two 80 m-high towers
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Original structure based on suspended floors
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Five new storeys added without increasing overall height
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24 above-ground floors and 6 basement levels
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Foundation strengthening using 120 micropiles per core
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Micropiles extending 17.5 m deep
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17 x 17 m underpinning cap connected by 62 post-tensioned tendons
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New vertical circulation core with 7 lifts
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Suspended lobby structures installed using hydraulic jacks
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Five-storey extension built with composite steel structure
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Structural rehabilitation of façade ties and reinforced communication cores
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