Dancing House of Prague A Controversial Building

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Built in 1996, the it is also known as the Nationale-Nederlanden building. The building’s unique shape is said to emulate two dancers, with one figure representing a man and the other a woman. The Dancing House was designed by architects Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry. The design was inspired by the famous dance couple Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers. Two corner towers resemble the dancing couple – Ginger is represented by a glass tower, while Fred is represented by a concrete one.

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Most importantly, there is a sightseeing terrace on top of it, from which you can overlook the breathtaking panorama of Prague. The Dancing House is not only a stunning architectural masterpiece, but it also plays an important role in Prague’s cultural scene. The building houses a gallery that showcases contemporary art and hosts various cultural events and exhibitions.

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On the ground floor of the building, between the large circular pillars, there are shops, a hotel and a small cafeteria. This area for public interaction at ground level allows for the building to be much less isolated than traditional office developments. Construction of the Dancing House, whose official name is the Nationale-Nederlanden Building, began in 1994 and finished in 1996. Although it received the design category award from the prestigious American Time magazine in the same year it was completed, the building was very controversial from its beginnings. Not only did it stand out stylistically, it was also asymmetrical and, for many, clearly out of place in a more traditional environment.

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The Dancing House’s modern and unconventional design was seen as a symbol of Prague’s newfound freedom and openness to new ideas. The combination of these unconventional construction methods and materials resulted in a building that stands out among Prague’s historic architecture. The Dancing House’s distinct appearance and innovative design have made it a landmark in the city and a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of its architects. To construct the glass tower, a steel frame was erected and covered with a layer of glass panels. These panels were custom-made to fit the curved shape of the tower and were carefully installed to ensure a seamless and smooth appearance.

This modern building was originally designed in 1992 and completed by 1996. It’s the work of a Czech-Croatian architect Vlado Milunic and Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry who designed the building and Czech-British architect Eva Jiricna has designed the interior of the building. The "Dancing House" is set on a property of great historical significance. Its site was the location of an apartment building destroyed by the U.S. bombing of Prague in 1945. The plot and structure lay decrepit until 1960, when the area was cleared. The neighboring plot was co-owned by the family of Václav Havel, who spent most of his life there.

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Its unique and spacious interior spaces provide a versatile and visually stunning backdrop for a wide range of activities. The building’s contribution to Prague’s cultural scene further solidifies its status as a symbol of the city’s artistic and creative spirit. The interior design of the Dancing House is just as impressive as its exterior.

After 6 years of events, rehearsals, a small amount of classes, and regular public rentals, The Dancehouse chose to relocated to another warehouse in Point Loma and has began to expand its public dance classes schedule and events. The Dancing House’s fascinating history, from its construction process to its role in Prague’s cultural scene, adds to its appeal and significance. The building’s interior design, with its modern and artistic aesthetic, is a testament to the architects’ attention to detail and their commitment to creating a modern and artistic masterpiece. In conclusion, the Dancing House is a truly unique and iconic architectural masterpiece that has become a symbol of Prague’s modern architecture. Designed by renowned architects Frank Gehry and Vlado Milunić, the building’s distinct appearance and unconventional design make it a must-see attraction for architecture enthusiasts and travelers alike. In addition to the gallery, the Dancing House also serves as a venue for conferences, seminars, and other cultural events.

Emily was amongst the first girls to tour with Mariah Carey in her All I Want For Christmas Worldwide Tour in 2017. THE VOID, is a once-a-week training program that prepares dancers for what to expect as they evolve into the professional dance industry. Yes, you may still compete at a competition studio and still be apart of our In House Program. After he graduated from Czech Prague Technical University, Vlado Milunić mostly worked in Paris until the Dancing House project. Later on, he became more famous and worked on many big scale projects such as Barrandov Film Studio, Prosek Nurse Dormitory, Radetice Child Camp and Areal Hvezda Building Complex.

In the middle of a square of buildings from the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the Dancing House has two main parts. The first is a glass tower that narrows at half its height and is supported by curved pillars; the second runs parallel to the river and is characterized by undulating mouldings and unaligned windows. One of the highlights of the Dancing House’s interior is the Fred and Ginger restaurant, located on the top floor of the glass tower. The restaurant offers panoramic views of Prague and features a contemporary design that complements the building’s overall aesthetic. The restaurant’s name pays homage to the building’s nickname and adds to the playful and whimsical atmosphere.

In addition to offices, the Frank Gehry House holds an art gallery, 21-room boutique hotel, restaurant, and bar. Head straight to the observation deck and enjoy a free-but-breathtaking view of Prague. Vlado Milunic was joined on the project by Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, and designs were completed in 1992. It was originally used by the Dutch finance company Nationale Nederlanden, who later moved to another building in Prague. There is a gallery, hotel, office space, a luxurious restaurant, and a Glass bar with a gorgeous panoramic terrace with a beautiful 360 ° view of Prague Castle, Petřín, National theater, and Vltava river. The inspiration behind the name of the Dancing House comes from the famous American dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

The French architect Jean Nouvel turned down the idea because of the small square footage, but the well-known Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry accepted the invitation. Because of the bank's excellent financial state at the time, it was able to offer almost unlimited funding for the project. Visitors to the Dancing House can explore the building’s interior spaces, including the gallery and the Fred and Ginger restaurant. The panoramic views of Prague from the top floor of the glass tower are particularly breathtaking and offer a unique perspective of the city.

There is limited access to the interior of the Dancing House, so the majority of visitors content themselves with photographing this unique building and seeing it from the outside. The Dancing House is one of the most iconic landmarks of Prague, and the best-known modern building in the city. It gained its name from its resemblance to the outline of a man and woman dancing, and has become one of the most popular stops on the Prague sightseeing circuit in recent years.

The general shape of the building is now featured on a gold 2,000 Czech koruna coin issued by the Czech National Bank. You can get there by tram; the “Jiraskovo namesti” station is right next to the building. If you prefer the metro, you can walk just a bit from the “Karlovo namesti” station. If you cross the street you’ll be able to see stairs leading down to the wide walkway by the river. The views are great, but I should mention that you’ll mainly see the Vltava River, the Petrin Hill and the Petrin Lookout Tower and Kinsky park, Hunger Wall, different bridges over the river and Prague Castle in very far distance. A standout gem of New Town district, the Dancing building in Prague sits on the Rašín Embankment (Rašínovo nábřeží) in Jirásek Square (Jiráskovo náměstí).

This unique building is located on the riverbank of the Vltava River at the corner of Rašínovo nábřeží and Jiráskovo náměstí. The official name of the Dancing House in Prague is Nationale Nederlanden Building and its nickname is also „ Ginger and Fred “. The Dancing House has become a popular tourist destination in Prague, attracting visitors from around the world. Its unique and unconventional design, combined with its location on the banks of the Vltava River, makes it a must-see attraction for tourists and architecture enthusiasts alike. Heartbeat House offers a variety of inclusive classes- from dance, yoga, pilates, fitness and meditation to restorative workshops and community events.

Many people who photograph the Dancing House stand near the statue of Alois Jirásek and pretend to hold the building up, very much á la Leaning Tower of Pisa. The corner building of the block was destroyed during an Allied bombing raid which suffered something of a navigational malfunction. On 14th February 1945 some aircraft dropped their bombs on Prague rather than the intended target, the German city of Dresden.