The construction of the Ringstrasse also entailed several magnificent palaces that were built by wealthy citizens and royalty. The building sites along the emerging Ringstrasse were not only occupied by public buildings. This is why members of the upwardly striving bourgeoisie (among them many Jewish families) received the opportunity to purchase sites and erect splendid palaces along Vienna’s most important boulevard, thereby demonstrating their wealth. They became the city’s centers of economic and social life. The most famous such site is the Palais Lieben-Auspitz, which today houses the Café Landtmann: Berta Zuckerkandl held her famous literary salon there. And in Palais Todesco by the Opera, Baroness Todesco held court and hosted Vienna’s most prominent personalities on a regular basis. Palais Ephrussi by Schottentor is also famous due to its “main role” in the bestseller, “The Hare with the Amber Eyes”.
Royal families often occupied the entire building with their servants, while other palaces were partially rented out. Even two Habsburgs made their home in the Ringstrasse: Archduke Ludwig Viktor, Kaiser Franz Joseph’s youngest brother, had a palace built on Schwarzenbergplatz. And Archduke Wilhelm commissioned Theophil von Hansen to build a grand palace on the Parkring. Many former palaces are now luxury hotels.
