Landmark historical building in Bucharest reopens as cultural hotspot after 80 years

Casa Mița Biciclista (the Mița Biciclista House), a famous historical building in the centre of Bucharest, reopened its doors to the public in November, after 80 years, with two Grand Balls. BR talked to Alberto Grosescu, cofounder of Casa Mița Biciclista and ARCEN, about this new cultural hotspot.

By Oana Vasiliu

What's the story of the house?

Casa Miţa Biciclista in Piaţa Amzei was built in 1908 according to plans drawn up architect Nicolae Mihaescu. Its art-nouveau and neobaroque architectural influences are what make it unique. It is said to have been a gift that the famous courtesan after which it is named, whose real name was Maria Mihaescu, received From Prince Ferdinand when she was 23 years old.

The building conveys a strong air of grandeur, sumptuousness, and elegance, to the measure of the famous figure about whom we actually know very little.

It is clear that Maria Mihaescu—Miţa Biciclista—was an avant-garde; she was the first woman to ride a bicycle in Bucharest, she frequently travelled outside the country, and she was adored by princes, kings, writers, doctors, and famous politicians.

After the 40s, amid war and impoverishment, Miţa Biciclista becomes a discreet presence of Bucharest life. She is forced to rent out several rooms, and the house is nationalised in 1950, forcing her to live there with several other families. Miţa died in 1968; until the 2000s, 1416 families lived in the house. At the end of the 2000s, the house—a historical monument of national value— was bought by a private owner who began restoration in 2013. In 2020, the house was sold to another private owner.

How did your NGO manage to take over the coordination of the space?

After 12 years of experience in cultural, community, and heritage protection projects, ARCEN aims to transform Casa Miţa Biciclista into a creative establishment: a cultural space featuring a brasserie and cinema.

It will be a long process, which will involve several communities and creative groups, partners, artists, architects, and communication professionals, but we believe that its reinvention will result in a recovery of a piece of the city’s history. The new history of the Miţa Biciclista House began this year with the events that marked the opening of the house to the general public.

How would you describe the place to a foreigner?

It’s a representative fragment of Bucharest, where we aim to capitalise on the potential of the city and its heritage as well as set an example of revival through culture. What's the most amazing story you’ve found out about Mița Biciclista?

In our research, we discovered that Maria Mihaescu had been traveling since she was 18 years old and had participated in the Nice Carnival for years, where she even won the competition for the most beautiful allegorical chariots. Her appearance was recorded by newspapers and she was often referred to as Princess Mihaescu.

Another interesting episode revealed by the team that dealt with the restoration of the house is the fact that a German pistol was discovered in the walls of the building. We know absolutely nothing about it, but it certainly sparked our imagination.

What are your plans for this new cultural hotspot? What should we expect to see there in 2023?

We aim to open up the house with a permanent programme and a brasserie, cinema, and cultural space that will host exhibitions, mini-concerts, and conferences—a natural development of ARCEN's activity.

La Miţa Biciclista will thus become a key meeting place in the city, whether it’s for parties, culture or reflection.

The reopening marks the beginning of a new history for the house and a promise we’re making to the city.

Bucharest needs a meeting space in the centre that’s open to cultural and civic initiatives, an alternative space for expression, at the intersection of various energies and urban bubbles.