The original building on this site was destroyed during an Allied bombing raid in 1945, the remains of which stayed untouched for many years. In late 1989, the Velvet Revolution saw non-violent protests and the end of Communist rule in then Czechoslovakia. These were led by dissident Václav Havel whose family lived next to the empty site and supported plans for redevelopment.
In 1996, Frank Gehry led a project to design the current Dancing House. The building houses a hotel and has nine floors with two of those underground.
