The Dancing House is the nickname given to the Nationale-Nederlanden building in downtown Prague, Czech Republic.

It was designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in co-operation with Canadian architect Frank Gehry on a vacant riverfront plot (where the previous building had been destroyed during the Bombing of Prague in 1945).

The building was designed in 1992 and completed in 1996.

The very non-traditional design was controversial at the time.

Czech president Václav Havel, who lived for decades next to the site, had supported it, hoping that the building would become a center of cultural activity.

Originally named Fred and Ginger (after Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - the house vaguely resembles a pair of dancers) the house stands out among the Neo-Baroque, Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings for which Prague is famous.

Others have nicknamed it "Drunk House".

 

On the roof is a French restaurant with magnificent views of the city.

The building's other tenants include several multinational firms.