Frank Gehry, the world-renowned Canadian-American architect, passed away on Dec. 5 at the age of 96 after a brief respiratory illness. Known for transforming modern architecture with his bold, sculptural designs, Gehry leaves behind an enduring legacy, including one of Prague’s most distinctive landmarks—the Dancing House.

Located on Rašínovo nábřeží along the Vltava River, the Dancing House was completed between 1992 and 1996 on a plot destroyed during the 1945 U.S. bombing of Prague. Gehry collaborated with Czech-Croatian architect Vlado Milunić to create a building symbolizing Prague’s transformation from communism to democracy. The two towers, nicknamed Ginger and Fred, resemble dancers in motion—the twisting glass tower representing Ginger Rogers and the solid stone tower representing Fred Astaire.

Though Gehry is globally celebrated for works such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Dancing House stands out as an example of his ability to blend avant-garde design with local history. Its deconstructivist style, with irregular façades and unconventional shapes, contrasts with Prague’s traditional Baroque and Gothic architecture while still complementing the city’s evolving identity.

Gehry worked closely with Czech designers, including architect Eva Jiřičná, who shaped the building’s interior with asymmetry and creative spatial elements. The site’s connection to Václav Havel, who later became president and encouraged its development, further deepens the building’s cultural significance.

Since opening in 1996, the Dancing House has become one of Prague’s most photographed buildings and a symbol of the city’s modern spirit. Time magazine even listed it among the most important buildings of the 1990s. Over the years, it has been renovated and partially converted into a boutique hotel, with the Ginger & Fred restaurant on its seventh floor offering panoramic views of the city.

Gehry believed architecture should create experiences, not just buildings. The Dancing House embodies this philosophy with its sense of movement, creativity, and openness. His passing marks the end of an era, but his influence on Prague’s skyline and global architecture continues to live on.