At the intersection of Ion Brezoianu and Constantin Mille streets stands the Universul Palace, a building that did not only shape the architectural landscape of Bucharest, but also the evolution of Romanian journalism. 

The birth of a journalistic vision and the rise of an emblematic palace

For a long time, the structure was regarded simply as a newspaper headquarters. In reality, the Universul Palace represents the outcome of an ambitious vision belonging to the Italian journalist Luigi Cazzavillan, founder of one of the most influential daily newspapers of modern Romania.

The story of the building begins before 1884, when Cazzavillan, already settled in Bucharest, erected what is known today as body C of the palace, also called the Cazzavillan House. 

The Italian journalist had arrived in Romania as a war correspondent, but the country, and especially the capital, then undergoing rapid modernization, captured his fascination. Thus he decided to build his future here, writing himself into Romanian history through a mix of journalistic intuition, entrepreneurial courage, and perseverance.

The founding of the Universul newspaper and the transformation of Romania’s press

Luigi Cazzavillan made his debut in the local press in 1881 with the publication of his first newspaper, Fraternitatea româno-italiană (“The Romanian-Italian Fraternity”). Though modest, this publication marked the beginning of a journey that would radically change how Romanians consumed information. In 1884, after several editorial experiments, Cazzavillan founded Universul, a newspaper that would soon become a nationwide phenomenon.

The newspaper’s success was largely due to its focus on topics that the press of the time typically ignored or approached cautiously. Instead of exclusively political or academic articles, Universul introduced a fresh and direct type of content, anchored in everyday reality: crimes, acts of violence, accidents, unusual weather phenomena, suicides, and other news items drawn from daily life. For the first time, the general public gained access to information reflecting real-life events, without excessive filtering or literary embellishment.

The impact was spectacular. While other newspapers barely reached circulations of around 5,000 copies, Universul exceeded 80,000, becoming Romania’s best-selling newspaper. It was an extraordinary leap, demonstrating both the public’s appetite for information and Cazzavillan’s talent for sensing the pulse of society.

The road toward expansion and the beginnings of an architectural project

The newspaper’s astonishing growth brought with it an unexpected problem: the building originally constructed by Cazzavillan had become far too small. The editorial offices, printing facilities, and administrative spaces could no longer function efficiently, and the newspaper’s management increasingly felt the need for a new, modern headquarters aligned with the publication’s ambitions.

However, these plans were postponed by a tragic event: Luigi Cazzavillan’s death in 1903. His entire fortune was inherited by his wife, who became the owner of the most powerful daily newspaper in the capital. Her life continued to change in 1909 when she remarried Nicolae Dumitrescu Câmpina, who subsequently took over the management of the newspaper.

Shifts in ownership and the strengthening of the newspaper’s influence

The couple managed the publication until 1914, when they divorced. Immediately after, she lost control of the newspaper, which was taken over by the family’s lawyer, Virgil Dărăscu, together with Stelian Popescu, an influential figure of the interwar press. Under their leadership, Universul not only maintained its popularity but became even more powerful, exerting significant influence on public opinion.

During this period, the idea of constructing a modern headquarters gained shape. Between 1926 and 1930, the project was officially launched under architect Paul Smărăndescu, a prominent figure of the time. Smărăndescu already had a professional connection with Popescu, having designed his personal residence in 1911.

The construction of the Universul Palace and the work of the architects

The architectural plans for the Universul Palace envisioned two distinct wings, each with a precise function. The front section was dedicated to offices, editorial spaces, and administrative rooms, while the rear section housed the printing plant, an essential component given the newspaper’s enormous circulation. The entire complex covered approximately 4,000 square meters, making it one of the largest press-related constructions in Romania at the time.

Smărăndescu collaborated with engineer Emil Prager, one of the most respected specialists of the era. Together, they completed a building that became emblematic of the transition period between the massive, traditionally inspired Neo-Romanian style and the geometric, functional aesthetic typical of early modernism. The result was an architectural monument blending tradition with modernity, just like the newspaper that gave it its name.

Until the end of the Second World War, Stelian Popescu remained the majority shareholder of the publication and the primary beneficiary of the building’s prestige. Over time, the Universul Palace became a symbol of interwar journalism, a space where the press intersected with politics, culture, and public life.

The survival of the building and its contemporary revival

The passing of time was not kind to many Bucharest buildings, yet the Universul Palace narrowly escaped the large-scale demolitions of the communist era. Nevertheless, the building gradually lost its original functions amid economic and social changes in the 20th century, slipping into visible decay. For decades, it remained only a shadow of what it had once been.

Its revival began in recent years, when investors committed to urban heritage regeneration took on the mission of restoring the monument. Today, the Universul Palace has been transformed into a modern hub dedicated to the creative industries, cultural initiatives, and start-ups.

 Spaces once filled with printing machines and editorial rooms now host contemporary offices, galleries, event halls, and collaborative workspaces for young entrepreneurs.

Luigi Cazzavillan’s legacy and the role of Universul in Romania’s journalistic evolution

Looking back, it becomes clear that Luigi Cazzavillan was more than the founder of a newspaper, he was a pioneer of modern Romanian journalism. His boldness in addressing topics considered unconventional at the time opened the way for the popular press and for a style of writing accessible to a broad audience. 

Universul was the first publication to understand the importance of a direct connection between newsroom and readers, introducing a lively, captivating, and engaging journalistic style.

His legacy endures today not only in the modern Romanian press but also in the continued existence of the Universul Palace itself, a building that has survived decades of transformation to become a symbol of continuity between past and present. The palace is not merely an architectural landmark; it is a testament to the profound impact that one man and one idea can have on an entire nation.

In a world that changes constantly, the Universul Palace remains a reference point in the history of Romanian journalism and a model of urban reinvention. Its story, closely tied to the lives of Luigi Cazzavillan and the Universul newspaper, continues to inspire, proving that vision, determination, and courage can turn a simple building into a monument of collective memory.

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