The "Frontón Recoletos"

The “Frontón Recoletos”, a few meters ...

...down the street, was built in 1935 at no. 2 calle Villanueva at the site of the old Palacio de José Campo, now a distant memory. It has since long gone and where racquets and balls once sounded, apartments now stand.

The war was partly to blame for this as the structure suffered in the bombings. However, its eventual obliteration was one of a number in Madrid; “frontones” were preferred as facades rather than racquet sport walls and real estate tended to triumph over sport. The frontón was knocked down completely in 1973.

It was Eduardo Torroja, an extraordinarily talented engineer, who designed the innovative barrel shell structures for the distinctive roof, working alongside the architect Secundino Zuazo. In the photos we can see some of the details of the structure’s unique roof, as well as the incredible amount of light that it let through. The building is still studied and admired by schools in the field of construction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Poster reads: “Frontón Recoletos, Calle Villanueva, 2. Tel: 51742
Tomorrow (Friday) Afternoon

Launch
Three great matches featuring aces in the sport of ‘pelota vasca’.
Abrego 1, Araquistain, Irigoyen, Iturain Arce, Chiquito de Gallarta, Izaguirre, Guelbenzu, Zabaleta, Jáuregui, Azpiroz and Errezábal.”]

 

[Poster reads: “Frontón Recoletos. A magnificent and luxurious temple to the sport of ‘pelota vasca’.
The best players in the world of the racquet sport.
This Saturday afternoon, the elegant Ezponda will take on the mastery of Zabaleta.]

[Poster reads: “Frontón Madrid. Afternoon: great matches and prizes. Evening: 10.15pm Lolita & Pill vs. Quinita & Aureli; Aurelia & Marichu vs. Edu & Carmencita.]