It was built by some financial businessmen, a fine five-story building designed by the man who drew up the Austrian Parliament building. But there was no happily ever after ending. In 1938, the Germans annexed Austria, and they wanted this building. The Gestapo arrested owner Viktor Ephrussi and his son Rudol, and threatened him with a trip to Dachau Concentration Camp. To avoid that, they had to sign away ownership of the building, which also contained some famous artwork. They did that, and were given a couple of back rooms for living space.
The Nazis moved into the place, and started to put in their racist policies into play. Meanwhile, the family left Austria when members agreed to give up their other financial holdings.The building eventually was damaged in World War II. When the war ended, the building ended up in the American sector, and the USA leaders used it.
Eventually, the Ephrussis won the title to the building back after a legal battle. However, they weren't anxious to go back to Vienna and relive some bad memories. So they sold it in 1950 for $50,000.
Oddly enough, the place was taken over by Casinos Austria from 1969 to 2009. Now it has a number of tenants; OPEC once had an office there.
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