Since its creation on October 20, 1831 and until 1893, the Madrid Stock Exchange has had different locations; the most important one was the building of the old Madrid Customs House, in the Plazuela de la Leña, where it was established in 1850 until the construction of its current location. In any case, that building lacked the size, dignity and representation demanded by the institution, and this despite the fact that in 1873 a new building had been erected that replaced the old Customs factory. The creation of a new headquarters was approved in July 1879, although it was not until June 1883 when its location was decided, thanks to the assignment by the State of the site that had been occupied by the El Dorado theatre, on Paseo del Prado. A year later, the Stock Exchange Works Committee called a national bid, won by the architect Enrique María de Repullés y Vargas, who was forced to include some alterations. After its completion in early 1893, it was inaugurated by the Queen Regent María Cristina de Habsburgo-Lorena on May 7 of that same year.

© Fernando Madariaga