#Department store #Karlovy Vary #1930
Vřídelní 82/9
360 01
Karlovy Vary,
Czechia
Public transport: Lázně III
Access: Public building, free entry during working hours
Today's use: Department store
Description
Located in the central spa district, the department store stands in stark contrast to the other houses from the baroque period or the turn of the century.
This building, built by Antonín Vítek, is a smaller version of the Prague shop. The main facade emerges slightly from the ground floor. The top floor, on the other hand, is set back with a terrace. Originally, the lower three floors were used as business premises. The third floor housed the living quarters for single men (most likely the company's apprentices), a shared canteen (men and women), the kitchen and a terrace (to the rear). On the fourth floor were the living quarters for single women. The fourth floor was provided with the flat of the office manager and caretaker.The retreating German army during World War II devastated the interior of the house. Afterwards, the house was reconstructed several times. But it was not until the reconstruction in 2003/04 that the interior was completely replaced. It was a phenomenon of the years around 2000 not to preserve original elements.
Description
Located in the central spa district, the department store stands in stark contrast to the other houses from the baroque period or the turn of the century.
This building, built by Antonín Vítek, is a smaller version of the Prague shop. The main facade emerges slightly from the ground floor. The top floor, on the other hand, is set back with a terrace. Originally, the lower three floors were used as business premises. The third floor housed the living quarters for single men (most likely the company's apprentices), a shared canteen (men and women), the kitchen and a terrace (to the rear). On the fourth floor were the living quarters for single women. The fourth floor was provided with the flat of the office manager and caretaker.The retreating German army during World War II devastated the interior of the house. Afterwards, the house was reconstructed several times. But it was not until the reconstruction in 2003/04 that the interior was completely replaced. It was a phenomenon of the years around 2000 not to preserve original elements.
History
Hugo Vavrečka came up with the idea of opening a Baťa shoe department in Karlovy Vary in 1930. He become a director of the Baťa company not until 1932. Before that he worked in the diplomatic service of Czechoslovakia. However, regular meetings between him and Tomáš Baťa (founder and owner) took place as early as 1929.
The house is called (U zlaté labutě). This was the name of the previous building, which was demolished in February 1930. The city's conditions stated that the new building had finished by 1 May 1930, otherwise heavy fines would be imposed. This pressure was related to the spa season, which peaks from spring to autumn. It was actually possible to open the shoe department in the spring of 1930.
Since many wealthy people from Central and Western Europe spent their cures in Karlovy Vary, this building was to become a new flagship of the Baťa company to spread its popularity. It is worth mentioning that Baťa shoes were cheap mass-produced articles that certainly wealthy people did not buy. Thus, it is rather the building with its architecture itself that was presented as the advertising medium of the most successful shoe manufacturer of the time.
The house is still used as a shoe shop today, albeit only on the lower two floors.
History
Hugo Vavrečka came up with the idea of opening a Baťa shoe department in Karlovy Vary in 1930. He become a director of the Baťa company not until 1932. Before that he worked in the diplomatic service of Czechoslovakia. However, regular meetings between him and Tomáš Baťa (founder and owner) took place as early as 1929.
The house is called (U zlaté labutě). This was the name of the previous building, which was demolished in February 1930. The city's conditions stated that the new building had finished by 1 May 1930, otherwise heavy fines would be imposed. This pressure was related to the spa season, which peaks from spring to autumn. It was actually possible to open the shoe department in the spring of 1930.
Since many wealthy people from Central and Western Europe spent their cures in Karlovy Vary, this building was to become a new flagship of the Baťa company to spread its popularity. It is worth mentioning that Baťa shoes were cheap mass-produced articles that certainly wealthy people did not buy. Thus, it is rather the building with its architecture itself that was presented as the advertising medium of the most successful shoe manufacturer of the time.
The house is still used as a shoe shop today, albeit only on the lower two floors.
Sources
Sources
