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History of the skyscraper
Standing at 52 meters tall, Dům Radost (the House of Joy) is often referred to as Prague’s first skyscraper.
Originally named the General Pension Institute, after its first tenant, the building was later taken over by the communist national trade union in 1951 and renamed the House of Trade Unions.
After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia, the building remained abandoned for a long time.
In 1968, it was designated as a historical monument.
In 2018, entrepreneurs Vítězslav Valou and Martin Louda purchased the property, with the vision of transforming it into a multicultural space open to art, creativity, and new ideas.
The project was called Dům Radost.
Architecture of Dům Radost
The functionalist building was erected between 1932 and 1934 according to the designs of architects Jaroslav Havlíček and Karel Honzík.
Their design was seen as extremely progressive for the standards of the time, as it included a transverse plan, instead of the classic block plan.
The architects were inspired by the theories of the famous modernist architect Le Corbusier, who promoted rationality in building design, absolute efficiency, and maximum use of natural light.
Among other features, it should not be forgotten that Dům Radost was the first building in Czechoslovakia to be equipped with air conditioning.
In addition, the building was clad in beige ceramic tiles measuring 20 x 40 cm, produced by RAKO, the Czech brand of ceramic tiles par excellence.
Due to this peculiar feature, Dům Radost was popularly nicknamed the “tile house” (kachlíkárna).
Curiosity: other famous kachlíkárny in Prague are the functionalist building of WPP Campus (previously, the Electric Companies of the City of Prague), the Ministry of the Interior, and the former headquarters of the StB, currently used by the police of the Czech Republic.
The skyscraper today
Dům Radost is today the multifunctional place originally envisaged by its new buyers.
Its interior features offices, apartments and shops.
The ground floor houses a functionalist bar, while the top floor boasts a panoramic terrace with another bar, and at the back, there is a cinema.
All of this is situated within an area of 31,000 square meters.
From the roof terrace you have a unique view. One side offers an unusual perspective of lower Žižkov and of Vítkov, while on the other side you can enjoy the stunning panorama of the rest of Prague.
The terrace is open every afternoon in spring and summer and if there are events, such as concerts, you can stay until late at night.
The boutique cinema Přítomnost has a cozy atmosphere and provides a diverse program that includes not only films, but also lectures, concerts and private parties.
The seats are beautiful, but they may not be very comfortable for sitting through a two-hour movie.
Nevertheless, it is worthy to go see it and experience it at least once.
This video from 2020 (in Czech) takes you on a tour of the interiors (starting from minute 5:50) and more.
