During the construction of Vienna’s subway system, Emperor Franz Joseph was given his own exclusive station near Schönbrunn Palace (Hietzing). The initiative came from Otto Wagner, the designer of the city’s public transit system. The building, completed in 1899, was given a resplendent exterior and sumptuous furnishings specifically tailored to the emperor's needs.

The large central octagonal waiting room has mahogany paneling and embroidered wall coverings with philodendron motifs.

The large painting by Carl Moll, one of the emperor’s favorite painters, shows Vienna, including its new public transit system, from a bird's eye perspective.

The fact that the emperor only used the pavilion twice was secondary for Otto Wagner; the focus was on conveying imperial splendor and helping Vienna’s modern architecture achieve a breakthrough.