What’s left of a 15th Century hospital wall has been uncovered in what is destined to be the basement of Apple’s new flagship store in Madrid. The 6,000-square meter store, expected to open by the end of the year, will be Apple’s 11th store in Spain, and its fourth in the capital, Madrid.
The technology giant’s renovation of the building located at number 1, Puerta del Sol — formerly the Paris Hotel — led to the discovery of the outer walls of the Buen Suceso hospital, next to the church of the same name. Both buildings were demolished in 1854 to make room for the square.
The remains of the church were initially discovered during the construction of the new Sol Metro and Cercanías light rail station in June 2009, halting the project for 10 months. The ruins were subsequently preserved in the mezzanine of the station, sheltered behind glass partitions.
Apple is reported to have considered installing a section of glass floor to allow viewing the ruins in a manner similar to the rail station, but decided against it, citing a lack of visual interest. (Perhaps Jony Ive could work on it?) Apple will instead change the design of the flooring to “symbolically trace the outline” of the walls.
