Madrid City Council gives the green light to the Special Protection Plan for Delicias station, which will allow for the rehabilitation of the Railway Museum building and the recovery of its original configuration.
The Plenary of Madrid City Council approved this Thursday the Special Protection Plan for Madrid-Delicias station, a document that lays the urban groundwork for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the capital's first monumental station. The building, located in the Arganzuela district, has been home to the Railway Museum for decades and is declared a Cultural Heritage Asset.
The plan, promoted by Adif in collaboration with the Spanish Railways Foundation and the ministries of Transport and Housing, will allow for the execution of the winning project from the 2018 international architecture competition, whose master plan was approved in 2022. The intervention will cover an area of 12,786 square meters and will combine the restoration of the building with a renewal of the exhibition spaces.
Restoring the original grandeur
One of the key objectives is to return the station to its original configuration, removing the added mezzanines in the main hall to recover its original height. The central nave will also be rehabilitated with its metal structure, and the large canopy will be fully restored, with improvements in accessibility, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
The exterior canopy will be relocated to its historical site, and the west wing will be adapted for management and service uses. The Fomento Nave, for its part, will house the Documentary Fund and the Railway Library of the Spanish Railways Foundation.
Works visible from 2027
The rehabilitation works for the southern area of the Fomento Nave are already tendered and are expected to begin in 2027. They will be financed through the 2% Cultural Programme and contributions from Adif and Renfe. The reform is part of the Strategic Plan 2026-2030 of the Spanish Railways Foundation.
The special plan guarantees the preservation of the architectural and historical values of the building, designed by French engineer Émile Cachelièvre, and maintains both the public uses and the activity of the Railway Museum during the works.
What it means for visitors
For Madrilenians and tourists visiting the Railway Museum, the rehabilitation will represent a substantial improvement in the experience. The building itself will become part of the exhibition, with original routes recovered and new museum spaces. The Delicias station, inaugurated in 1880, will once again showcase its 19th-century splendour.
The works will be carried out in phases to minimise the impact on visits. During the works, the museum will remain open, although some areas may be temporarily closed. The complete rehabilitation is expected to be completed over the next decade.
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