Metropol bulding, which stands majestically on the corner of Špitálská and Mickiewiczova streets, is one of the most iconic buildings in Bratislava. Thanks to its typical appearance, the place itself is well known not only to native Bratislava residents. However, did you know that the building has an interesting background? Learn more about it before you will hear about another interesting story that’s just started, BE ONE coliving.

A glimpse into history

The Metropol building is a significant architectural gem that dates back to 1927. Designed by renowned architect Juraj Tvarožek with financial support from his brother Tomáš Tvarožek, the two-storey corner building originally housed a cinema in its two-storey basement and a bustling café at street level. The place was capturing the spirit of the Art Deco era and combining elements of avant-garde movements such as Cubism, Futurism and Constructivism. The Metropol sign was originally cut from sheet metal and affixed to the edge of the roof. In 1934 it was replaced by neon letters on the main façade.

“Metropolka”, as the Metropol building used to be called, became soon after its construction the seat of various associations, but also of Bratislava bohemians, both surrealists and vitalists met there. Rudolf Fábry, Štefan Žáry, Ján Smrek, but also Ladislav Novomeský and Ján Poničan were frequent visitors.

The Metropolka soon became a thorn in the side of the First Republic regime, and so the café was closed in 1939 by Alexander Mach’s decision on the grounds that “an anti-state society was gathering there”. After the war it reopened, but it didn’t last long – it was nationalised and looted by the Communists and two of its managers went to prison.

After this unhappy history, the café was reopened, and later a cinema was added to the building. which operated until the mid-1990s.  In 1997, the building underwent a major renovation that transformed its interior into a modern use. The building housed a bank branch and commercial space, and later a nightclub.

Information about the history of the building was drawn from interviews between Olga Gyarfášová and Branislav Tvarožek, a cousin of the architect Juraj Tvarožek.

Modern living in a historical monument

In 2024, Metropol was reborn as BE ONE Apartments Metropol. The entire coliving offers 19 carefully designed apartments in four sizes to accommodate singles or couples. Each apartment is crafted to provide comfort and efficiency. The housing is suitable for young professionals and college students looking for a blend of history and modernity in their living.

And perhaps we can build on history a little bit, too, and the common areas of the building will wittness meaningfull debates and bold plans by committed and ambitious young people who want to move things forward. This was the main idea behind the creation of modern coliving and we believe that it is no coincidence that it was created in this place.

Book your space in history

BE ONE Apartments Metropol is not just a place where one goes to sleep. The common and private spaces have been designed so that young people can proudly say “I live there”. (The similarity with the name BE ONE is not accidental.)

Metropol building is a piece of Bratislava’s history that has been given a touch of modern living space. Thanks to its location and unique blend of past and present, it offers living with the hallmark of something truly special.

Book your apartment now and be among the first to experience living in BE ONE Apartments Metropol.