Conversion of the “Paris” Hotel

The conservatism of Musil’s adaptation of the Paris Hotel on Žižkovo Square, which was financed by the Czechoslovak Agrarian Bank (Agrární banka československá), contrasts with his nearby architecturally more modern realisations. In this case, the investor was unwilling to substantially invest in the interiors or even the façade. And, at the same time they had a fairly clear idea of the sought-after result. The existing Empire style was to be retained, as was the original comital coat of arms of Count Ervin Schlik, who acquired the original inn At the City of Hamburg (U Města Hamburku) in 1876, and the name of the bank (based here from 1917) would be newly emphsised.

At the investor’s behest, the architect created three alternative plans for the modified building, one of which was finally realised. The commission forbade any large construction works or reconstruction of the interior, a constraint dictated not only to the banks limited means, but also to the general structural condition of the building, whose stability had been reinforced up until 1917 by a wrought iron balcony with a double sided staircase on the frontage.

During 1936, two further parts were added to the original building, whose façade looked out onto Žižkovo Square: one was a utilitarian courtyard extension, the other a residential wing, with a cellar, whose façade fronted onto Šafaříkova Street.

The building, refurbished and modified once again in the 1990s, still serves its purpose in hospitality, while on the ground floor of the front wing is a shop.

(GA)