Stories of Prague buildings: Vítězná 8
We would like to introduce to you a luxury building in Lesser Town, nearby the area where Vítězná Street runs into the Legion Bridge. This pleasant locality offers its residents beautiful vies, atmospheric secluded spots, close greenery at the Petřín Gardens or at Kampa, cultural events within arm’s reach and important history that can be seen all around.
Jindřich Jechental
Erection of the entire block, demarcated by the Vltava River on the east, Vítězná Street building numbers 444, 445 and 550 (formerly Chotkova Street) on the west, and the Legion Bridge (formerly the Franz Joseph Bridge) on the south, was the idea of Jindřich Jechental.
He purchased this Baroque bastion, which originally formed a part of the city fortification, and ordered the building of a part of the luxurious Lesser Town riverbank, stairs to Říční Street and a block of buildings that is called after him even today – Jechenthal’s Buildings. Nevertheless, the buildings at Vítězná 550/8 is not one of them.
History of the building at Vítězná 550/8
The corner building had originally faced just Vítězná Street. In 1888, Všehrdova Street was founded and plan were made for building a new extension wing, which faced the new street. Jindřich Jechental and František Hněvkovský were responsible for the construction. Towards the end of the 19th century, they ran an important project engineering and construction company, which built many buildings, among other on the Janáček Riverbank, but also in other Prague localities.
The building basement was gradually modified and balconies facing the courtyard added. They were the work of a masonry master Josef Vašek. During the first half of the 20th century, the façade facing Vítězná Street was renovated and apartments modified by leading architects Jan Bína and Aleš Hübchmann. Finally, some small apartment adjustments were implemented and gas lines and gas heaters installed between the 1960’s and 1980’s.
The building houses spacious apartments with luxurious windows that let plenty of daylight in. When you pass by, look at it and imagine a renovated façade. It is beautiful, is it not?
