Which industrial tycoon commissioned Palau Güell?

The industrial tycoon who commissioned Palau Güell was Eusebi Güell.

Güell was a wealthy Catalan entrepreneur, politician and patron of the arts who became Antoni Gaudí’s most important early benefactor. He commissioned the mansion as a private residence on Carrer Nou de la Rambla in Barcelona, and Gaudí built it between 1886 and 1888.

Palau Güell was designed for entertaining Barcelona’s high society. Carriages could enter through imposing iron gates, while the central hall rose through the building beneath a domed ceiling. Gaudí also used elaborate ironwork, stone, wood and ceramics to create a richly theatrical interior.

A common mix-up is confusing Güell with the clients of Gaudí’s other famous houses. Josep Batlló commissioned Casa Batlló, Manuel Vicens commissioned Casa Vicens, and Pere Milà commissioned La Pedrera. Palau Güell was one of Gaudí’s earliest major commissions and helped establish his reputation.