Palác Chicago Palace
Palác Chicago is located in Prague in New Town in the location between the streets of Kharvátov 11 and National 32, in close proximity to Václav Spála Gallery. This pastoral location in the centre of the city makes it a significant landmark for anyone who moves in the historical heart of Prague.
The history of the palace begins in 1927 when Jindřich hrabě Kolowrat-Krakowský built it. The interesting thing is that the palace was created as a result of a property exchange - Kolowrat built it in exchange for a castle in Týnka which he sold to the builder and construction entrepreneur Jaroslav Polívka. This year, the record in the agrarian magazine Role, which describes the palace as one of the most modern newly built works in Prague, is only comparable to the then Bat Palace.
The building was built at the site of the original Neo-Renaissance house, which had a prism turret. The architecture was addressed by a prominent representative of the Interwar Avant Guard Josef Havlíček. The construction took place in 1927-1928. The palace has seven floors with a reinforced concrete structure with a flat roof, which was a great modern innovation for its time. The facade with orientation to the National Class is characterized by belt windows, in the ground floor there are display cabinets of business premises. The original course of Charvat Street to the National Class (formerly Ferdinand's) was closed by this new construction and adjacent tenement house, and was solved by the location of the passage.
The palace was equipped with advanced elements in the pattern of American skyscrapers, which was the top standard at the end of the twentieth century. In the building was set up a shop of agricultural products which were supplied from Kolowrat's businesses in Týnce. This combination of modern architecture with the function of a commercial and office house was characteristic of interwar urbanism.
The Palác Chicago currently serves primarily as an office building with commercial premises on the ground floor. Its functionalist architecture and dominant position in the urban structure of Prague still make it an interesting example of how Czech architecture participated in the construction of a modern city between world wars.
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
- 1927
- Opening of the palace by Count Kolowrat-Krakowski
- 1928
- Completion of the construction of a modern functionalist palace
- End of the 1920s
- Establishment of a shop for agricultural products in the building
- Present
- Use of the building as an office complex with business premises
Architectural development
Seven storey building with reinforced concrete structure and flat roof. The facade is characterized by belt windows and interpreters on the ground floor. The construction replaced an earlier Neo-Renaissance house with a prism turret.
Historical events
1927-1928: construction of the palace at the site of the neo-renaissance house no. 58.
Owners
Jindřich hrabě Kolowrat-Krakowský (builder), Jaroslav Polívka (won the castle in Týnka in exchange for the palace in 1927).
Points of interest
- The palace was created as a result of the property exchange, when Jindřich hrabě Kolowrat-Krakowský built it in exchange for the castle in Týnka. - The magazine Role described it as one of the most modern works in Prague, comparable to the then Bat Palace. - The construction was equipped with advanced elements in the pattern of American skyscrapers. - The building was set up to sell agricultural products from businesses in Týnka. The flat roof was a great modern innovation for its time.
Guide
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Show guide text
This text was created by artificial intelligence and has not been editorially reviewed. It may contain inaccuracies.
The Chicago Palace is a functionalist building in Prague's New Town. Its main façade faces Národní Street, with its other side facing Charvátova Street. It stands in close proximity to the Václav Špála Gallery.
The palace was designed by builder and construction entrepreneur Jaroslav Polívka and Josef Havlíček, one of the representatives of the interwar avant-garde. The building client was Heinrich Count Kolowrat-Krakowský. He had the house built in exchange for a château in Týnec, which he sold in 1927 to architect Polívka. According to contemporary reports, the palace, along with the Baťa Shoe Palace, was among the most modern buildings in Prague at that time.
The building was constructed in 1927 and 1928. On its site previously stood a neo-Renaissance house with street number 58, which had a pyramidal turret. The new building has seven storeys, a reinforced concrete structure, and a flat roof. The façade is articulated by band windows, and the ground floor features shop windows.
The new building significantly changed the appearance of the surrounding area. Charvátova Street previously led into Národní Street, which was then called Ferdinandova Street. The Chicago Palace, together with a residential and commercial building at number 40, blocked this junction, and access from one street to the other now leads through a passage.
The name of the palace refers to America. The building was equipped with modern features modelled on American skyscrapers. Count Kolowrat-Krakowský opened a shop in it selling agricultural products imported from his enterprises in Týnec.
Today the Chicago Palace serves mainly as an office building, with shops on the ground floor.
Tips for visitors
For the best observation of architecture we recommend a visit on bright days, when the sunlight will highlight the shapes of the building beautifully. The best time is the morning when there are fewer people on the streets and light is ideal for photography.
You can easily reach the monument by public transport or walking. If you are planning to arrive by car, use parking in the surrounding parts of the city; Check the current connection of the means of transport in the Internet search engine.
We recommend to bring comfortable shoes and equipment for shooting details of functionalism. For the best images use natural light during the day to highlight the geometric shapes of the palace.
You can stop by the Václav Spála Gallery or explore the National Class. For families with children it is interesting to walk this part of the city thanks to the possibility of observing different styles of buildings and architecture.
Frequently asked questions
Can the monument be visited?
Yes. We verified the opening hours or admission on the official website (1. 10. 2026); you will find them in the visitor information on this page. Please double-check with the operator before you travel.
What are the opening hours and admission?
Details verified on the official website (1. 10. 2026) are listed in the visitor information on this page. Official website: https://www.galerievaclavaspaly.cz/
Where is the monument?
Location: Nové 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
Václav Spály Gallery, National Class.
Accommodation nearby
Trips and activities nearby
Guided tours, tickets and activities nearby from GetYourGuide
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Search tours and activities →Themed route
1. National class (street) - Walk on one of Prague's most important roads with rich history. 2. Václav Spály Gallery (gallery) - A place for art lovers where interesting exhibitions take place. 3. Palác Chicago (Palace) - Top of the road where you can admire the unique architecture and atmosphere of the building.
Seasonal recommendations
Spring: During the spring season Palác Chicago lights up with sunlight, which shines on its historic facades and creates an attractive atmosphere. Flowers begin to blossom around the palace, which gives the surrounding life and color. Visit him in the early afternoon hours when there are fewer people and the sun illuminates architectural details. It is recommended to wear a warm coat with a vest because the weather can still be cold.
Summer: For years, Palác Chicago is surrounded by greenness and sunlight, creating ideal conditions for walking around it. In the main summer season the palace can be very visited, so it is advisable to come earlier in the afternoon or on Sunday when there are usually smaller crowds. Wear light clothes and sunglasses for sun protection.
Autumn: In the autumn period, Palác Chicago offers wonderful experiences with a colourful leaf that adds a melancholy and beautiful tone to the surroundings. The sun becomes colder, so it is advisable to visit it in the early afternoon, when the temperature is more pleasant. It is recommended to wear top clothes and a blanket to protect against cold winds.
Winter: In winter, Palác Chicago offers unique views when its architecture is decorated with snow or light from inside. The atmosphere is quieter and fewer visitors, which allows a deeper exploration of the palace. Opening hours may be shorter, so make sure you have time before the trip. Wearing warm clothes and shoes suitable for ice is essential for a comfortable visit in winter weather.
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.
Atmosphere of the place
This atmospheric visualisation of the place and period was generated by artificial intelligence. It is not real footage of the location.
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Sources and literature
Photos: Maresovhan / CC BY-SA 4.0, rozlišení zvýšeno umělou inteligencí — 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
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