Palác U Stýblů

Palác U Stýblů, also known as Palác Alfa, is a significant piece of Prague's Functionalist architectural history. Built between 1927 and 1928, it stands as a grand structure designed with a reinforced-concrete frame that allows for large, airy interior spaces filled with light. The exterior is defined by its striking, extensive glass façade facing Václavské náměstí and two projecting oriel bays that add rhythmic detail to the building's profile. Inside, a central passage runs through the building, connecting street-level shops and leading guests through to an inner courtyard, which eventually provides access to the green space of Františkovy sady. Because the building has avoided any major, invasive modern renovations, it serves as an authentic look at early 20th-century commercial mixed-use design, originally housing shops, a cinema, a theatre, a café, and offices.