Zacherlhaus
Encyclopedia
The Zacherlhaus is a residential and business tower designed by Jože Plečnik
and built between 1903 and 1905 in the 1st district
of Vienna
, the Innere Stadt
(at Brandstätte 6/Wildpretmarkt 2-4/Bauernmarkt 2).
The construction was commissioned by Johann Evangelist Zacherl, son of the industrial magnate Johann Zacherl
, who built the Zacherlfabrik
. It was one of the first modern buildings erected at the Wildpretmarkt in Vienna’s city centre. The façade is made of polished grey granite plates; the artistically executed cornice
is also noteworthy. The figure of Archangel Michael on the façade is the work of Ferdinand Andri, while the caryatid
s were made by Franz Metzner
. The oval-shaped stairwell features a lamp that resembles an insect; this is a reference to insecticide, the production of which had made the Zacherl family rich.
In 1949, it was necessary to restore the Zacherlhaus after it had been damaged during World War II
.
Today, the Zacherlhaus is a listed building. It is one of the most important examples of the work of the Otto Wagner
school. It belongs to Johann Zacherl’s descendents and is used as office space.
Jože Plecnik
Jože Plečnik , was a Slovene architect who practised in Vienna, Belgrade, Prague and Ljubljana.-Biography:...
and built between 1903 and 1905 in the 1st district
Districts of Vienna
The districts of Vienna are 23 named city sections of Vienna, Austria, which are also numbered for easy reference. For centuries, district boundaries have changed...
of Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, the Innere Stadt
Innere Stadt
The Innere Stadt is the 1st municipal District of Vienna . The Innere Stadt is the old town of Vienna. Until the city boundaries were expanded in 1850, the Innere Stadt was congruent with the city of Vienna...
(at Brandstätte 6/Wildpretmarkt 2-4/Bauernmarkt 2).
The construction was commissioned by Johann Evangelist Zacherl, son of the industrial magnate Johann Zacherl
Johann Zacherl
Johann Zacherl was an Austrian inventor, industrialist and manufacturer. Johann Zacherl made a fortune in the late 19th century by selling dried flower heads of Chrysanthenum cinerariifolum as an insecticide.- Biography :...
, who built the Zacherlfabrik
Zacherlfabrik
The Zacherl factory is a former factory in the 19th district of Vienna, Döbling. It was built in an oriental style.- History :...
. It was one of the first modern buildings erected at the Wildpretmarkt in Vienna’s city centre. The façade is made of polished grey granite plates; the artistically executed cornice
Cornice
Cornice molding is generally any horizontal decorative molding that crowns any building or furniture element: the cornice over a door or window, for instance, or the cornice around the edge of a pedestal. A simple cornice may be formed just with a crown molding.The function of the projecting...
is also noteworthy. The figure of Archangel Michael on the façade is the work of Ferdinand Andri, while the caryatid
Caryatid
A caryatid is a sculpted female figure serving as an architectural support taking the place of a column or a pillar supporting an entablature on her head. The Greek term karyatides literally means "maidens of Karyai", an ancient town of Peloponnese...
s were made by Franz Metzner
Franz Metzner
Franz Metzner was an influential German sculptor, particularly his sculptural figures integrated into the architecture of Central European public buildings in the Art Nouveau / Jugendstil / Vienna Secession period...
. The oval-shaped stairwell features a lamp that resembles an insect; this is a reference to insecticide, the production of which had made the Zacherl family rich.
In 1949, it was necessary to restore the Zacherlhaus after it had been damaged during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Today, the Zacherlhaus is a listed building. It is one of the most important examples of the work of the Otto Wagner
Otto Wagner
Otto Koloman Wagner was an Austrian architect and urban planner, known for his lasting impact on the appearance of his home town Vienna, to which he contributed many landmarks.-Life:...
school. It belongs to Johann Zacherl’s descendents and is used as office space.