On the bustling Paseo de las Delicias in the Arganzuela district, life starts early. People rush by on errands, some hauling shopping bags, others hurrying to the metro, or simply strolling past the window displays. Amid this stream, hardly anyone pays attention to entrance number 58. But if you look closely, you’ll notice this doorway hasn’t led to an apartment in years.
Instead of the usual door and staircase, there’s a photo booth. It stands right in the entrance, almost as if guarding the empty building. No one has lived here for years, and the entrance is no longer part of anyone’s daily routine. Now, instead of residents, it’s visited by those who want a souvenir snapshot or need a quick document photo.
A Life Without Residents
Neighbors have long gotten used to this unconventional arrangement. They say the photo booth isn’t a nuisance—in fact, it keeps the space free from trash and grime that typically pile up in the city’s forgotten corners. One local shop owner notes that now the entrance looks lively, not abandoned, and has become part of urban life. Official records show no one has been registered at this address since 2021, and the empty entryway doesn’t bother anyone.
The building is listed in the special city catalog as a partially protected site. This means its architectural features must be preserved so future generations can understand what the house was once like. However, the photo booth doesn’t alter the historic appearance of the facade or get in the way of passersby.
A Photo Booth Instead of a Door
Locals and visitors in the area often use this unusual service. In recent years, interest in analog photography has grown noticeably, especially among young people. Many specifically seek out these photo booths across the city to take unique pictures. Despite the popularity of digital technologies, document photos are still in demand, and these machines remain relevant.
Users note that this photo booth operates 24/7, unlike other similar machines in the area. There are a few more photo booths nearby—at the Legazpi metro station, in the bus terminal, in the shopping center, and at Atocha station—but all of them close at night. Here, you can take photos at any time, day or night.
Rules and features
Interestingly, Madrid doesn’t have strict regulations on where and how photo booths can be installed. Usually, if a booth is placed inside a shop, the permission is included in the general trading license. But if it’s in a residential building, the decision must be made by the property owners themselves. In the case of this building entrance, it seems no one objected to having a photo booth installed.
Many passersby share their experiences online. Some advise always closing the curtain for better pictures, though it’s difficult to do since the booth is right on the street. Others note that the document photos are high quality, and the process only takes a couple of minutes.
An urban mystery
No one remembers exactly how long the photo booth has occupied this unusual spot. For some, it became part of their daily route; for others, a reason to pause and smile. In a busy neighborhood where everything changes in the blink of an eye, this odd entrance with its photo booth is a reminder that even the most ordinary places can surprise you.
While the building remains empty, the photo booth keeps running, collecting the stories and faces of Madrid’s residents. Perhaps it is these little details that truly bring the city to life.
