Palais Ferstel, Vienna

Palais Ferstel is a historic structure situated on Herrengasse street in Vienna. Originally, it was constructed in 1860 to serve as the Austrian National Bank and stock exchange. Later, in 1878, it became the headquarters of the Austro-Hungarian Bank.

This building is also famous for housing the renowned Café Central, which relocated to Palais Ferstel in 1876. This coffeehouse is an integral part of Vienna's culture and history. In the past, it was a favored meeting place for poets, philosophers, and revolutionaries known as the "Centralists." Today, Café Central continues to delight its patrons with a delectable selection of culinary offerings.

Baron Heinrich von Ferstel was the visionary behind the construction of Palais Ferstel. The building's design is reminiscent of early Florentine Renaissance architecture. What sets this palais apart is its unique layout in Vienna's old town. It spans three streets but lacks a continuous façade. The primary palais occupies the corner of Herrengasse and Strauchgasse, while a grand enclosed passageway leads to the Freyung square, making an impressive statement between two other structures.

During World War II, Palais Ferstel suffered significant damage from air raids, especially to its facade. In 1971, Walter Frodl, the President of the Federal Monuments Office, oversaw its reconstruction. Between 1975 and 1982, the building underwent private ownership and renovation. Presently, it is owned by the Karl Wlaschek Foundation, established in 2015.