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The First House of Trades is part of the architectural complex created alongside the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial to address the need for new spaces linked to the palace dependencies. Although it was conceived as a single unit together with the Second House of Trades, over time both buildings acquired different uses.
Designed by Juan de Herrera outside the monastic perimeter, its works were carried out between 1587 and 1596, under the direction of Herrera himself and, subsequently, Francisco de Mora. Its location, between the Lonja and the current Floridablanca street, required adapting the building to the slope of the terrain, which explains the difference in height between its facades: three floors towards the Lonja and two towards Floridablanca.
Nowadays, the Primera Casa de Oficios is a space closely linked to the cultural and tourist life of the municipality. It houses the Casa de Cultura, several exhibition rooms, and the Tourism Office, becoming one of the reference points for those visiting San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
In addition to its historical and architectural value, it stands out for its interior courtyards. In the central courtyard, two magnificent specimens of Spanish firs are preserved, while in the left courtyard, as seen from Floridablanca, a prominent Himalayan Cedar can be observed. This building also recalls the link with the Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Montes, which was based here between 1871 and 1914.
The first of the buildings conceived by Juan de Herrera to house the palace facilities of the Royal Site, built in the 16th century next to the Monastery to complete the monumental complex.