 Madrid was growing in population and size in the seventeenth century after the decision of Philip II of Spain to transform the city onto an administrative and political centre for the nation.The Calle de Alcalá initially began at Puerta del Sol and ended at Paseo del Prado (at the height of the Plaza de Cibeles).Madrid’s population growth meant that postal communication during the reign of Fernando VI of Spain was promoted through the construction of the Real Casa de Correos ("Royal House of Letters"), which was allocated to the Spanish architect Ventura Rodríguez.