Banco Pastor Building - yellow and white concrete building near palm trees during daytime
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Banco Pastor Building

4.9
·10 reviews·A Coruña, Spain

A Coruña's iconic early skyscraper, blending historic grandeur with a modern work café. A symbol of architectural ambition.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Quieter for work or reflection

CrowdLow
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Banco Pastor Building - yellow and white concrete building near palm trees during daytime

Banco Pastor Building

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Quieter for work or reflection

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A Coruña's iconic early skyscraper, blending historic grandeur with a modern work café. A symbol of architectural ambition.

4.9
(10 reviews)

"It's the most American building in the city, a little piece of New York in our Marineda."

Vertical photo
TIP

☕ Coffee & Work Spot

Great for working on your laptop; it's spacious and not too noisy in the afternoons. :coffee:

💳 Santander Customer Perks

Bank customers get a discount when paying with their card at the café. :moneywithwings:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Imposing Skyscraper Facade

Imposing Skyscraper Facade

Marvel at the solid, forceful structure symbolizing modernity and security, a break from traditional A Coruña architecture.

Historic 'Skyscraper' Status

Historic 'Skyscraper' Status

Discover its legacy as one of Spain's first skyscrapers, standing tall for decades and influencing city planning.

Work Café Experience

Work Café Experience

Enjoy coffee and work in the spacious former bank branch, offering a unique blend of history and modern functionality.

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A Coruña's Architectural Gem

The Banco Pastor Building, a historic skyscraper, offers a glimpse into early 20th-century architectural ambition. Admire its imposing facade and learn about its significance as one of Spain's first tall buildings.

Modern Use, Historic Charm

While still known as the Banco Pastor Building, it now houses a Santander bank branch and a spacious work café. Enjoy a coffee and soak in the atmosphere of this iconic A Coruña landmark.

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Quieter for work or reflection
Crowd
Low
When
During A Coruña Comic Show
Why
See Batman on the roof!
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Portas da Coruña 🤍 Dende os elegantes e señoriais edificios do Ensanche ata as casas máis sobrias e tradicionais da Cidade Vella, A Coruña está chea de portas que son auténticas xoias que paga a pena contemplar ✨ —————— Doors of A Coruña 🤍 From the elegant and stately buildings of the Ensanche to the more sober and traditional houses of the Cidade Vella (Old Town), A Coruña is full of doors that a...
@yamildoval
15.7K likes • 88.2K views

☕ Coffee & Work Spot

Great for working on your laptop; it's spacious and not too noisy in the afternoons. :coffee:

💳 Santander Customer Perks

Bank customers get a discount when paying with their card at the café. :moneywithwings:

Decenas de estudiantes universitarios se concentraron esta mañana en A Coruña para reclamar una vivienda digna. El Obelisco fue el escenario de esta protesta en la que se juntaron alumnos y profesores en contra del elevado precio de los inmuebles: “Donde está, que no se ve, la bajada del alquiler” #acoruña #acoruna #coruña #coruna #lacoruña #lacoruna #galicia #quincemil15000 #quincemil
@quincemil15000
3.1K likes • 61.3K views

🦇 Batman's Perch

Look up during the Comic Show to spot the iconic Batman figure on the cornice! :bat:

🏛️ Architectural Significance

Appreciate its neo-baroque elements and its role as a pioneer 'skyscraper' in Spain. :classical_building:

Tips

from all over the internet

☕ Coffee & Work Spot

Great for working on your laptop; it's spacious and not too noisy in the afternoons. :coffee:

💳 Santander Customer Perks

Bank customers get a discount when paying with their card at the café. :moneywithwings:

🦇 Batman's Perch

Look up during the Comic Show to spot the iconic Batman figure on the cornice! :bat:

🏛️ Architectural Significance

Appreciate its neo-baroque elements and its role as a pioneer 'skyscraper' in Spain. :classical_building:

What Travellers Say

4.9
(10 reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Banco Pastor Building is lauded as a well-preserved, mythical landmark and one of A Coruña's most significant historic buildings. Visitors appreciate its imposing architecture, its legacy as an early skyscraper, and the modern adaptation of its ground floor into a popular work café. Some note the building's current ownership by Santander, though its original name and signage persist.

"A mythical and very well-preserved building, it's cool when they put Batman on the roof watching over the city during the comic book fair."

Kike Rey

"Today it belongs to Banco Santander. It is one of the main historic buildings on the avenue.

On the ground floor there is a work café that was the old bank branch and was adapted for this use. It is very spacious, it has different areas to work alone or in a group. Desks, bar, tables, etc.

The prices are those of any cafeteria with the additional advantage that if you are a bank customer they give you a significant discount when paying with the card."

Víctor M. Rodríguez P.

"To this day it is still known as the Banco Pastor building, despite the fact that now its name would actually be the Santander building, after the purchase by the banking entity chaired by Botín. However, if we look up we can still see the Banco Pastor sign.

The Banco Pastor Building began construction almost a century ago, in 1922, and was the tallest building in Spain until 1929. It was superseded by the Telefónica Building on Gran Vía in Madrid but still retains the recognition of being one of the first 'skyscrapers' in the country with its 38 meters and 11 floors. Although its height does not attract our attention today, the local press in the 1930s still referred to it as a 'skyscraper' and raising it was audacious at the time, since municipal planning prevented buildings from exceeding 20 meters. Furthermore, the project by Antonio Tenreiro Rodríguez (1893-1969) and Peregrín Estellés Estellés (1891-1981) represented a break with the previous architecture, in which white wooden gallery facades predominated, representative of the A Coruña port front. Fortunately, the Municipal Works Commission approved the project, not with the intention of creating a trend but as an exception "that would make the city more beautiful", thus making the Pastor the only tower in the city until the 1960s.

For the Banco Pastor building, Tenreiro and Estellés designed a solid and forceful structure that symbolized the modernity and security of a banking entity. Nothing like verticalism and stone and iron to represent that power in the Cantons, in the heart of the Pescadería neighborhood, with the port as the main driving force.

Banco Pastor takes as a reference the skyscrapers of the late 19th century of the Chicago School and English banks, adding neo-baroque elements. For many people from A Coruña it is the most American building in the city, a little piece of New York in our Marineda. It is no coincidence that, at the Comic Show held annually in A Coruña, Batman chooses to be placed at the top of its cornice, next to a logo that, even today, refuses to disappear."

Felipe Lata Raposo

What People Like

Historic architecture
Work café ambiance
Iconic landmark status

What People Dislike

Building is now Santander

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Banco Pastor Building is centrally located on the main avenue in A Coruña, making it easily accessible by public transport or on foot if you're exploring the city center. Several bus lines stop nearby. TikTok

While street parking can be challenging in the city center, there are several public parking garages within walking distance of the building. Consider using a parking app to find available spots. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No ticket is required to view the exterior of the Banco Pastor Building. The ground floor houses a work café and a Santander bank branch, which are generally open to the public during their operating hours. Reddit

The building itself doesn't have specific visitor hours as it's a functional bank and café. The work café typically operates during standard business hours, and the bank branch follows its own schedule. It's best to check the Santander A Coruña branch hours online. Reddit

There is no entrance fee to enter the work café. You only pay for what you order, such as coffee or snacks. Reddit

🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience

You can enjoy a coffee or work in the spacious work café, which was formerly the bank's main branch. You can also visit the Santander bank branch on the ground floor. Reddit

The ground floor, where the café and bank are located, is generally accessible. However, specific accessibility details for all areas might vary, so it's advisable to inquire directly if you have particular needs. Reddit

The building features a solid and forceful structure with neo-baroque elements, drawing inspiration from late 19th-century Chicago School skyscrapers and English banks. Reddit

Yes, despite being owned by Banco Santander, it is still widely known and referred to as the Banco Pastor Building, with the original sign still visible. Reddit

🍽️ ☕ Food & Dining

Yes, there is a spacious work café on the ground floor that serves coffee, snacks, and other refreshments. Reddit

Prices are comparable to other cafés in the city, with the added benefit of discounts for Santander bank customers when paying with their card. Reddit

Absolutely! The café is designed with remote workers in mind, offering ample seating, tables, and a relatively quiet atmosphere, especially in the afternoons. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The entire facade is impressive, but capturing it from a slight distance on the avenue allows you to appreciate its scale. The top of the building is also famous during the Comic Show. TikTok

Photography is generally permitted in the public areas of the café and bank, but it's always good practice to be discreet and respectful of other patrons. Reddit

During the A Coruña Comic Show, look for the Batman figure placed on the building's cornice – a popular and unique photo opportunity. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

While the Banco Pastor Building itself is more of an architectural marvel than a child-centric attraction, families can enjoy a visit to the work café for a treat. The novelty of being in a historic skyscraper might appeal to older children. A unique highlight for families, especially during the A Coruña Comic Show, is spotting the Batman figure perched on the building's cornice – a fun and memorable photo opportunity that kids will love. TikTokReddit

For a more interactive family experience, consider combining a visit to the building's exterior with a stroll along the nearby waterfront or exploring other family-friendly attractions in A Coruña. The building's central location makes it easy to incorporate into a broader city exploration itinerary.

💻 Remote Workers & Students

The Banco Pastor Building's work café is a fantastic spot for remote workers and students. The spacious layout, diverse seating arrangements (desks, tables, bar areas), and generally quiet atmosphere make it ideal for focused work or study sessions. Reddit

Take advantage of the Santander customer discount if you bank with them. The café provides a unique backdrop for your workday, blending historical ambiance with modern amenities. It's a great alternative to traditional co-working spaces or busy libraries, offering a chance to soak in some local history while you get things done.

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

A Coruña's First Skyscraper

The Banco Pastor Building stands as a significant landmark in A Coruña, not just for its imposing architecture but also for its historical importance. Construction began in 1922, and upon completion, it held the title of the tallest building in Spain until 1929, when it was surpassed by the Telefónica Building in Madrid. With its 38 meters and 11 floors, it was a pioneering structure, often referred to as a 'skyscraper' in the local press of the 1930s. This was particularly audacious given that municipal planning at the time restricted building heights to 20 meters. Fortunately, the project, designed by Antonio Tenreiro Rodrígez and Peregrín Estellés Estellés, was approved as an exception to enhance the city's beauty, making it the sole tower in A Coruña for decades. Reddit

The architectural vision for the Banco Pastor Building was to create a solid and forceful structure that embodied the modernity and security of a banking institution. The architects drew inspiration from the skyscrapers of the late 19th century, particularly those of the Chicago School, and also incorporated elements from English banks, adding neo-baroque touches. This resulted in a building that many locals consider the most 'American' in the city, a piece of New York in A Coruña. Its prominent location in the heart of the Pescadería neighborhood, overlooking the port, further emphasized its role as a symbol of economic power and progress. Reddit

Today, the building is owned by Banco Santander following its acquisition of Banco Pastor. However, it continues to be affectionately known by its original name, and the Banco Pastor sign remains visible, a testament to its enduring legacy. The ground floor has been thoughtfully adapted into a spacious work café, offering a modern amenity within a historic setting. This blend of past and present makes the Banco Pastor Building a must-see for anyone interested in A Coruña's architectural heritage and urban development. Reddit

From Bank to Café: A Modern Adaptation

The ground floor of the Banco Pastor Building has been transformed into a vibrant work café, a space that seamlessly blends the building's historic grandeur with contemporary functionality. This area, formerly the main branch of Banco Pastor, has been reconfigured to accommodate a variety of seating options, from individual desks for focused work to communal tables for collaboration. The spaciousness of the original bank hall has been preserved, creating an inviting atmosphere for patrons. Reddit

This adaptation has proven popular with locals and visitors alike, particularly those seeking a comfortable and inspiring environment to work remotely or simply enjoy a coffee. The café offers a range of refreshments, and a notable perk for Santander bank customers is a significant discount when paying with their card. This initiative not only provides a practical benefit but also encourages engagement with the historic building. Reddit

The café's ambiance is often described as conducive to productivity, with many users noting that it remains relatively quiet, especially during the afternoons, making it suitable for taking calls or concentrating on tasks. The unique setting, surrounded by the architectural echoes of a bygone era, adds a distinct charm to the experience, making it more than just a place to grab a coffee, but a destination in itself. Reddit

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