Twenty years ago, the neighborhood of Chueca near the center of Madrid, Spain was less than savory. Crime, drugs and vandals all dominated its streets, and even though its location made it ideal for tourists and locals alike, this bad rap solidified it as a place to avoid. Spain’s gay population wasn’t having it, though. They swept in and made the barrio the gayborhood, flipping it […]

Twenty years ago, the neighborhood of Chueca near the center of Madrid, Spain was less than savory. Crime, drugs and vandals all dominated its streets, and even though its location made it ideal for tourists and locals alike, this bad rap solidified it as a place to avoid. Spain’s gay population wasn’t having it, though. They swept in and made the barrio the gayborhood, flipping it into a cultural hub filled with bars, fashion-forward shops and wonderful restaurants. Needless to say, the transformation has since turned it into one of the most sought-after areas in Madrid. Susana Ordovás and her husband José (whose Mexico City home we featured here) are one pair lucky enough to own a pied-à-terre in this vibrant part of Madrid. Lovingly restored by its previous owners, their apartment in Chueca is a century old and boasts many of its original features: herringbone floors, three balconies and hearty doors. While these elements made it beautiful to begin with, design-fanatic Susana couldn’t just move into the space and do noth...