From Bank Vault to Modern Restaurant: The Architectural Gems of Červený Jelen

Just a few steps from the Powder Tower stands a palace that has witnessed baroque splendor, bankers, war, nationalization, and a grand revival. Today, it is home to Červený Jelen — a restaurant where history blends with bold contemporary architecture and gastronomy. Take a walk with us through the spaces that make our venue truly unique.

From Count Špork to Josef Gočár

Our story begins with Count František Antonín Špork, a patron of architecture and lover of nature. The Baroque palace he built in the heart of Prague gradually evolved into a complex of interconnected buildings with façades facing Hybernská Street.In the 1920s, it became home to the Anglo-Czechoslovak Bank. Architect Josef Gočár redesigned the complex with a modernist banking hall and a two-story underground vault — a radical transformation that preserved only the original street-facing wall. Gočár’s spirit still lives here — in the purity of lines, the craftsmanship, and the clever architectural details.

The Grand Restoration: Architect Stanislav Fiala

After decades of decay, a full reconstruction took place between 2014 and 2019, led by architect Stanislav Fiala. His philosophy is both simple and visually striking: acknowledge time, reveal history, and connect Baroque layers with Gočár’s modernism in a way that serves people of the 21st century.Fiala unified the offices and restaurant through consistent design elements (lighting, furniture), left technical systems visible, and preserved small “scars” — marks of water, chipped plaster, and years without upkeep. These details lend the building authentic character, far from sterile perfection.

Flying Deer and the Story Behind the Name

Count Špork, an avid hunter, founded the Order of St. Hubert. Legend speaks of his hunts, absinthe, smoke, and visions of red flying deer — the inspiration behind our name. Along Hubert’s Alley leading to V Celnici Street, three striking sculptures by Michal Gabriel commemorate this myth. Just look up — and you’ll see why it endures.

The Banking Hall: Historic Spirit in a Modern Form

Today, the former banking hall is known as “The Bank.” It features:

• 100-year-old protected clock above the entrance, crafted by artisans in the lineage of the Parléř family, creators of Prague’s Astronomical Clock.

• Grill by Grillworks – a European rarity burning oak and beech wood from Křivoklát forests, equipped with a sophisticated safety system.

• A faithful replica of the original banking bench and a steel artifact salvaged from the former glass-block ceiling (now replaced by fire-resistant curved glass).

The Bank is now the vibrant heart of the restaurant, where history meets the energy of modern gastronomy.

The Vault: From Bank Doors to Exclusive Events

Creating the entrance to the two-story vault took four and a half months of diamond drilling. Its shape references Gočár’s rondocubism, reflected throughout the design of taps, shelving, and other elements.Thanks to vertical openings that stretch all the way to the glass roof above, daylight floods the space — you can literally see the sky from “minus two.” Today, the Vault hosts special events, from Marek & Friends dinners to private gatherings.

Clubroom and Lounges: Privacy Meets Vibrant Energy

The Clubroom (on level -2) is ideal for parties, concerts, talk shows, or birthdays — with its own facilities yet still connected to the life of the restaurant above.

• The Špork Lounge once served as the bank director’s office, complete with a hidden safe in the antique cabinet.

• The Posed Lounge proudly displays its patina — watermarks, original stucco, and visible air ducts.

Throughout the interior, original materials remain — wall paneling, railings, doors, and Carrara marble. The glass staircase wall uses the same suspension technique as Villa Tugendhat, a detail admired by architecture lovers.

The Tank Tower: A Visible Technological Gem

Unlike most restaurants, our beer tanks aren’t hidden in the cellar. Twelve stainless steel tanks form the iconic Tank Tower — a world-class visual and functional feature. Thanks to a smart pressurization system, we can serve beer from one tank at four bars simultaneously, ensuring maximum freshness in real time.

Underground Art

The lower floors feature murals by artist Patrik Hábl, inspired by prehistoric cave paintings. They echo Count Špork’s love of nature and wildlife, giving the Vault spaces a ritual-like, subterranean atmosphere.

Hidden Architectural Treasures

• Pneumatic mail system – once used to send messages between the Vault and the director’s office.

• Table No. 26 – its base is an 800 kg fire damper salvaged from the original vault.

• Original safes and guard corridor – visible in the Vault windows, showcasing the structure of the concrete walls and the narrow passage once patrolled by armed guards.

• Gočár’s signature – round door handles, clean geometry, and functional elegance.

A Culinary Experience in an Architectural Icon

Červený Jelen is more than an architectural landmark — it’s a living space powered by exceptional cuisine, service, and atmosphere. Whether you come for lunch in The Bank, a private dinner in the lounges, or a special event in the Vault, you’ll experience an extraordinary fusion of history, design, and top-tier gastronomy — right in the heart of Prague.