Carrer Pintor Fortuny was a half-dead space, despite the fact that it was almost next to the busy Rambla: it had no exit, since it originally only connected Àngels and Xuclà streets.
A point that enlivened such a quiet street was the Gimnàs Solé, located in the central corner of Montjuïc del Carme, an activity that at the end of the century had become lively, the proof is that the foundation of Barça was forged there and also other entities and initiatives of various sporting significance.
The connection with the Rambla appeared blinded by several buildings that ended up being linked to El Siglo, some formidable warehouses that, in their unstoppable growth, needed to gradually expand the area.
On Christmas Day 1932, a fire broke out in the window of the establishment; since it was closed and empty, El Siglo, due to such a noted festivity, what started as a spark that took the curtains at full speed degenerated into a gigantic and destructive fire. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The demolition was imposed, which allowed the long-awaited extension of Calle Pintor Fortuny and the construction of the Manila Hotel on the corner of the mountain side.
In this trance, it was discovered that the large building that housed the Compañía Tabacos de Filipinas, designed by the architect Josep Oriol Mestres, only had the opulent facade of the Rambla. It became inevitable to create the extended street side. The architect Josep M. Sagnier Vidal was hired, who proposed a set in stylistic consonance with the academic main facade. Then the rear sector was expanded.
This elegant building was the headquarters of two companies founded by Antonio López, first Marquis of Comillas: the Hispano Colonial bank, installed in the lower part, and the Tabacos de Filipinas company, in the rest of the floors.
The extension of Pintor Fortuny was inaugurated at mid-afternoon on March 23, 1935. The official ceremony was presided over by the mayor Joan Pich i Pon. As the authorities arrived, they were received in the rooms of the Hispano Colonial bank. The mayor warned that he would deliver the speech in Catalan, as everyone present understood it. It was measured and without falling into any of his picturesque thoughts. At the end, they proceeded to fulfill the toasting ritual at the Tabacos de Filipinas salon.
