Haasův obchodní dům, Renaissance Revival building in New Town, Czech Republic
The Haas House is a Renaissance Revival building located in Prague's New Town that features distinctive large windows across its northern facade. An innovative iron framework supports the interior, creating unusually spacious open areas that serve as retail space in a way that was ahead of its time.
Construction finished in 1871 on a site that had served commerce since the 14th century under earlier names. Its completion reflected Prague's broader transformation during the late 1800s as the city modernized and expanded its business districts.
This place marked a shift in how Praguers shopped, as it was among the city's first modern department stores with a new approach to retail. You can see today how the space draws people in and how the layout encourages browsing across different areas.
The building sits on Na Prikope street in Prague's Old Town and is easy to reach on foot. The interior remains in active use as a shopping space, so you can experience the structure from inside while walking through or browsing the shops.
The combination of traditional stone walls with an iron framework was technically novel when built, allowing interior spaces that were larger and more open than other buildings of the era. This construction method set new standards for commercial buildings across the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.