Sociedad General de Autores (Palacio de Longoria)

The most emblematic modernist building in Madrid (and practically the only one) is in the Chueca neighbourhood, and it's the headquarters of the SGAE, the General Society of Authors and Editors. Foreign visitors are  especially struck by the fact that there are not more modernist buildings in town, compared to the extraordinary creations to come out of the 20th century by Catalan architects such as Barcelona's Antoni Gaudí. The Longoria Palace was designed by José Grases Riera in 1902 as the residence of the banker Javier González Longoria. Its lush façade makes it look as if it was formed from wet sand, shaped by an expert in cake decorating. Catalan architecture was once thought to have influenced Grases, but French architect Héctor Guimard and art nouveau seem to have been a more direct inspiration. Guided tours are arranged by filling out a form on the SGAE website.