Palác ARA Palace
The Palác ARA is a modern administrative building situated in the heart of Prague's Old Town, at the intersection of Perlová Street and 28. října Street. Originally built as a commercial building in the 1930s, it has undergone several transformations, making it a notable example of Prague's architectural heritage. The Palác ARA's unique design and history make it a must-visit destination for those interested in the city's rich cultural and economic past.
The Palác ARA was built on the site of a previous neo-classical house, which housed a textile store owned by A. and R. Amschellberg. In 1930, the Amschellberg company constructed a new building, designed by Milan Babuška, intended to be a modern commercial building. The building's entrance was designed by Max Gerstl, featuring a distinctive curved glass façade without a supporting column at the corner. However, the building was damaged by a fire in 1931, which lasted for 2.5 hours but did not cause the structure to collapse. The owners, A. and R. Amschellberg, invested in a state-of-the-art automatic fire extinguishing system, which successfully put out the fire in just a few minutes.
The Palác ARA's design is characterized by its simple glass façade and unique curved glass panels on the corner, giving it a distinctive Art Deco style. The building's façade was renovated in 2018-2019 to restore its original neon lighting and modernize its infrastructure. The interior was also renovated, with new elevators, technology, and air conditioning installed. The Palác ARA has been home to various businesses and organizations, including the ČSOB bank and the HubHub coworking center.
The Palác ARA has had several owners over the years. After World War II, the building was renamed OD Perla, and the side entrance on 28. října Street was closed and converted into a display window. The building was renovated in 1988 and again in 2018-2019, when it underwent a major renovation. The building is currently owned by Palác Ara, s.r.o., a company owned by the Austrian ECE Bau & Beteiligungs GmbH.
The Palác ARA has been the site of several notable events. In 1961, a fire broke out on the third floor, but the original Amschellberg fire extinguishing system successfully put out the fire in just a few minutes. The building has also been home to various businesses and organizations, including the ČSOB bank and the HubHub coworking center.
Today, the Palác ARA is a thriving administrative building, with a coworking center on its top floors and the ČSOB bank still operating on the premises. The building's unique design and history make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Prague's cultural and economic past. Visitors can admire the building's distinctive Art Deco style and learn about its rich history, which is a testament to the city's resilience and adaptability.
Then and now
Drag the slider to compare how the landmark may have looked when it was built with the view today.
The historical appearance on the left is an AI-generated visualisation and serves as inspiration only.
Historical milestones
- 1930
- Construction of the Palác ARA began.
- 1931
- The building was damaged by a fire.
- 1988
- The building was renovated.
- 2018-2019
- The building underwent a major renovation.
Architectural development
The original building was constructed in the 1930s in the Art Deco style. The building's design was influenced by commercial buildings in London and the United States from the 1930s. The building's façade was renovated in 2018-2019 to restore its original neon lighting and modernize its infrastructure.
Historical events
The building was damaged by a fire in 1931, but the structure remained intact.
The building was renovated in 1988 and again in 2018-2019.
The Palác ARA has been home to various businesses and organizations, including the ČSOB bank and the HubHub coworking center.
Owners
A. and R. Amschellberg, Palác Ara, s.r.o., ECE Bau & Beteiligungs GmbH
Points of interest
– The Palác ARA was originally built as a commercial building in the 1930s, but it was damaged by a fire in 1931, which lasted for 2.5 hours but did not cause the structure to collapse.
– The building has been home to various businesses and organizations, including the ČSOB bank, which is still operating on the premises today.
– The Palác ARA's design is characterized by its simple glass façade and unique curved glass panels on the corner, giving it a distinctive Art Deco style.
– The building's façade was renovated in 2018-2019 to restore its original neon lighting and modernize its infrastructure.
– The Palác ARA has undergone several transformations, making it a notable example of Prague's architectural heritage, which is a testament to the city's resilience and adaptability.
Guide
This guide is narrated by a synthetic voice generated by artificial intelligence.
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This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
Welcome! You are standing in front of the Palace ARA, a modern administrative building at the heart of Prague's historic core. The Palace ARA is a symbol of commercial architecture from the 1930s, but its history is full of surprises and interesting details.
Let’s travel back in time to the year 1930 when construction of the Palace ARA began. It was intended as a commercial building at the heart of Prague's business life. However, by 1931, the building had been damaged by a fire that lasted 2.5 hours, but miraculously it did not collapse.
Notice how simple the glass façade is, reflecting the surrounding architecture. But be careful, on the corner of the building you will find unique curved glass panels that give the building its distinctive identity. The Palace ARA truly dominates Prague's business district and its design is a result of the efforts by architects Milan Babuška and Max Gerstl.
Now pay attention to some interesting personalities associated with this place. The Palace ARA has been home to numerous companies and organizations, including ČSOB bank, which still operates here.
And what’s even more intriguing? The Palace ARA was struck by fire but miraculously did not collapse. This fact demonstrates the strength and resilience of this building.
Prague is full of historical landmarks, but the Palace ARA is a true hidden gem. Take in its façade, feel the atmosphere, and discover the secrets of this building. The Palace ARA is indeed a unique place worth visiting.
Tips for visitors
The best time to visit the Palác ARA is during the spring and summer months when the weather is mild and sunny, making it ideal for outdoor photography.
The building is easily accessible by car and public transportation.
It's a good idea to bring a camera to capture the stunning architecture of the Palác ARA, as well as a comfortable pair of shoes for walking around the area.
The best spots for photography are from the Old Town Square and the adjacent streets, where you can capture the building's unique Art Deco style.
If you're looking for other attractions to visit nearby, consider checking out the nearby Týn Church and the Old Town Hall, both of which are within a 30-minute walk.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Some buildings of this kind are open for guided tours, others serve another purpose or are privately owned. We have not verified whether and when this monument is open – please ask the operator.
What are the opening hours and admission?
We have not verified the opening hours or admission. Current information is published by the operator.
Where is the monument?
Location: Staré Město, Hlavní město Praha. The map on this page shows the exact spot.
Businesses nearby
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Events nearby
Zdroj akcí: otevřená data měst a obcí ČR (Národní katalog otevřených dat) a kalendář akcí Národního památkového ústavu.
Nearby
The Palác ARA is located in the heart of Prague's Old Town, surrounded by other notable buildings and landmarks.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
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Palác ARA (hlavní cíl) The Palác ARA is a stunning example of Art Nouveau architecture and a must-visit for its unique blend of luxury and elegance.
Staroměstská náměstí (0,5 km, 5 minut chůze) This historic square is the heart of Old Town and features the famous Astronomical Clock, as well as several other notable buildings, including the Old Town Hall and the Church of Our Lady Before Týn.
Kostel Matky Boží před Týnem (0,1 km, 1 minutu chůze) This beautiful Gothic church is one of the most iconic landmarks in Prague and features a striking exterior and interior design.
Nerudova ulice (0,2 km, 2 minuty chůze) This charming street is lined with colorful buildings and is known for its lively atmosphere and historic significance.
Seasonal recommendations
Jaro
Spring is the ideal time to visit Palace ARA because nature around it awakens from its winter slumber, offering beautiful green foliage and blooming trees. The atmosphere is full of optimism and hope, which is reflected in the architectural design of the palace. The best time to visit Palace ARA during the spring season is from April to May when the weather is sunny and temperatures are mild. We recommend visiting the palace early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid large crowds of tourists.
Léto
The main summer season is ideal for visiting Palace ARA because it is open all day and offers pleasant weather. The atmosphere is relaxed, which is reflected in the architectural design of the palace. The best time to visit Palace ARA during the summer season is from June to August when the weather is sunny and temperatures are high. We recommend visiting the palace early in the morning to avoid large crowds of tourists.
Podzim
The autumn period is beautiful for visiting Palace ARA because nature around it turns into stunning colors, offering a tranquil atmosphere. The atmosphere is full of melancholy and introspection, which is reflected in the architectural design of the palace. The best time to visit Palace ARA during the autumn season is from September to October when the weather is cool and temperatures are mild. We recommend visiting the palace early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid large crowds of tourists.
Zima
The winter period is ideal for visiting Palace ARA because it is open all day and offers pleasant weather. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, which is reflected in the architectural design of the palace. The best time to visit Palace ARA during the winter season is from December to February when the weather is cold and temperatures are low. We recommend visiting the palace early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid large crowds of tourists and to avoid poorer lighting.
Visualizations and artistic views
The visualisations are generated by artificial intelligence and serve as inspiration.
Photos from the area
Real photos taken near the monument
Zdroj a licence jsou uvedeny u každého snímku.
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Sources and literature
Photos: VitVit / CC BY-SA 3.0 — Wikimedia Commons. The author and licence also appear when you hover over the image.
Faktickým podkladem tohoto textu byl článek na Wikipedii, jehož autory jsou přispěvatelé Wikipedie. Článek je dostupný pod licencí CC BY-SA 4.0.
Location on the map
More monuments – Staré Město
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Příběhy a pověsti
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Příběh: Palác ARA
„Vypněte ty trubky, nebo nás tady všechny spálí do popela!“ zakřičel Viktor Amschellberg a přitiskl si vlhký kapesník k nosu. Kolem něj se vznášel hustý, šed…
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Pověst: Palác ARA
Staří obchodníci z Perlové ulice vyprávějí, že palác na rohu nikdy nehořel tak, jak by hořet měl. A ti, kdo tu stáli v únoru roku třicátého prvního, si tu no…
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