Located by the Hviezdoslav Square /Bratislava,Slovakia/, the Neo-Renaissance building was built in 1885–1886 during the time of Austria-Hungary, based on a design by the Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer, who designed theater buildings in 10 European countries. It was opened as the City Theater on September 22, 1886.
The original building was designed for 1000 spectators and was illuminated using 800 gas lamps, while the auditorium had a lustre with 64 lights
The interior was decorated, with frescos of by Bratislava/Pressburg/Pozsony native painter Kornél Spányik and by paintings by Munich artist Leo Lüttgendorf-Leinburg, among others.