Crown Palace

An elegant Art Nouveau gem

Step into Prague’s history at Crown Palace, or explore Prague from this architectural marvel, situated right in the heart of the city on Wenceslas Square. Its flawless Art Nouveau design makes it stand out. Our Crown Palace Apartments, previously known as Monarch Apartments, located on the highest floors, offer unique city views.

The name 'Crown Palace Apartments' fittingly reflects the royal feel of this iconic place, making it an ideal destination for your wonderful Prague vacation.

A Bit of History

Originally, this was the site of Café Vienna, a 19th-century gathering place for significant Czech personalities. In 1912, the decision was made to demolish the café and surrounding buildings to make room for something better, bigger, and more representative: the City Palace! The construction of Koruna Palace was aimed not just to fill the corner space at the lower end of Wenceslas Square sensibly but to modernize the area. It was about erecting a multifunctional modern building that would stand out in Prague’s historical setting.

Architects Antonín Pfeiffer and Matěj Blecha led this transformation, designing a monumental yet practical palace in an elegant Art Nouveau style. The construction itself was pioneering for its time, incorporating a new material—reinforced concrete—that promised almost infinite durability.

From the outset, it was a highly ambitious project. Koruna Palace boasted state-of-the-art facilities like a spa, but the main attraction was undoubtedly the phenomenal Koruna automat. The iconic Koruna buffet became deeply embedded in the hearts of all Prague citizens of that era, offering daily meals at reasonable prices. Serving up to 10,000 people a day, it was extremely popular! With no fast food competition nearby, Koruna automat operated from 7am to 10pm to satisfy all its customers.

Thus, modern Prague life naturally gravitated to Koruna Palace, which, with its multifunctional scope, also delighted rushing locals who could shorten their paths through its ornately decorated corner passage. Those not in a hurry could enjoy the cool shade, marvel at the ornate glass ceiling, and admire the paintings displayed in the showcases.

Crown Palace (formerly Monarch) Apartments

As mentioned, the top two floors of Koruna Palace have been transformed into apartments, which we, Adrez, manage. We've categorized the Crown Palace Apartments as 'Local Living' because they perfectly fit this description—located in the city center where you'll meet locals, yet in a perfect historic Prague Adrez location where you can enjoy a unique atmosphere and breathtaking views of a city rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Article author:

Kateřina Čmoková