Klicperova 4 Apartment house

Welcome to the heart of Hradec Kralove. You're standing in front of a building that's much more than walls and windows. It is a silent witness to the changes that the city has seen in the last centuries, and at the same time a symbol of the ambitions of the people who once lived and worked here. In front of you is Spalka's department store on Klicperova Street. Before we go into his secrets, try to stop for a while, soak up the atmosphere of this place and see how this three-story object fits into the rhythm of the surrounding building. He may seem calm to you, but his history is full of discussions, changes, and constant search for the ideal shape.

Let us return together to the beginning of the twentieth century, namely 1911. Imagine a society back then, a time when ancient traditions began to intersect with a new, dynamic energy of modern age. It was at that time that a project was created, which was intended to serve not only as a business space but also as a residence. Václav J. Špalk, a successful textile trader, was the main mover of this whole building. As a man of trade and quality, he wanted to build a house that reflected his position and modern thinking of the times. To bring his vision back to life, he entrusted the task to the architects. The main author of the proposal was Vladimír Fultner, which later became one of the key figures of modern architecture in our region. However, his vision was combined with the work of Josef Jihlava, which led to some adjustment of the original intention.

Now pay attention to the construction itself and to what you see right in front of you. Look at the entire height of this three-story object. When you look at it, you can perceive its specific character. It's interesting that this house has not been accepted from the start by everyone with enthusiasm. He was often criticised at the time of his inception, particularly because of his proportions. At the time, people saw something in its shape that wasn't quite close to them. But it was this criticism that the architecture of the house evolved over time.

Notice how the house changed over the years. The original design was probably much more decorated, full of details that would fit the taste at the time. However, by successive adjustments, the house was getting rid of unnecessary ornaments and getting what is most today: a strong horizontal character. Instead of vertical decorating, your eyes can now move freely along lines that highlight the length and stability of the building. This shift from decoration to pure form is a fascinating example of how architecture approached the principles of functionalism. Even though the house was built before the greatest blossom of this direction, in his face are already signs visible. Funktionalism says that shape should follow function, and it is this house that has been found in it over time.

Although historical records of specific persons living on these floors do not directly mention their names, we can easily imagine them through the history of the building. Imagine Václav J. Špalka planning his business trips in these premises, monitoring the quality of new substances and how his textile empire grows. Imagine the families who settled here, their daily rituals, street meetings and views from windows around Hradec Králové. This house was not just static matter, it was a living organism that responded to the needs of its inhabitants.

There is one interesting thing that may surprise you. Although the house changed over the decades and its appearance transformed, its historical value was so high that it was already officially declared a cultural monument in 1958. This means that despite all changes and modernization, its essence remains protected as an untouchable piece of our city's history. And even in recent times, this object has not stopped in time. After extensive reconstruction, completed in 2020, the house regained a new life. But it no longer serves primarily as a department store, but as a modern living space. This ability to adapt - the ability to survive, to change its purpose and yet to retain its dignity - is what makes Klicper's four a real gem.

Look at him now as the link between the past and the present. It is a house that has learned to listen to critics who have learned to be less spectacular and more functional, and who has managed to adapt to the modern world without losing its history. It's a story about how a commercial project becomes a permanent member of urban memory.

I hope this short journey through time through the history of Spalkov's department store has helped you better understand his face. You're standing in front of a building that has its own soul and that still tells the story of finding beauty in simplicity and usefulness. Before you go further down the streets of Hradec Kralove, stop again, look at the detail of its lines and see how this object forms the unique character of the entire city. Thank you for sharing this story with us. We wish you a beautiful and inspiring walk through the rest of the city.