While construction of the Alexander Palaces would begin in 2164, the planning and design for them had begun in 2161. The complex consists of four externally identical palace structures arranged along the axis of the Hagia Sophia and the Imperial Throne.
Imperial Residence
The northeast building is the Imperial Residence, including rooms for meetings on the ground floor as well as a small ball room and dining hall for entertaining relatively small numbers of guests. The first floor included the emperor’s office suite with a private balcony overlooking the Imperial Gardens and the Golden Horn. One wing was comprised of offices for visiting officials and a large conference room for official meetings. The other wing contained guest suites for visiting relatives or dignitaries. The third floor was entirely occupied by the Imperial Residence, including six bedrooms, a private dining room, fitness center, movie theater and game room.
The Imperial Residence also included substantial structures underground, including a bath facility with an Olympic sized swimming pool, sauna, massage services, and a jacuzzi capable of holding twenty people. The basement also contained the emperor’s private library, holding classified documents in a concealed vault.
Imperial Prison
The Emperor
Claudius would construct a secret prison under the residence to allow him to keep prisoners under his personal control. The imperial family would be briefly imprisoned there following his dethronement in 2257. It is rumored that he was executed in his cell, and then the entire complex was walled over to hide it.
Command and Control
Imperial records indicate that
Alexander IV had extensive construction done beneath the palace from 2193-2204 with an immense amount of dirt and rock removed. Though details remain classified, it is believed that he had a command and control facility constructed under the bedrock of the palace.
Tunnels
A series of tunnels have been constructed between the palace buildings to allow staff to move unobtrusively between them, as well as for the imperial family in the event of adverse weather.
Prime Minister Residence
The southeast building is identical to the Imperial Residence, and was constructed for the use of the Prime Minister. Less lavishly decorated, some emperors preferred it to the Imperial Residence. Traian, Maximian II, and Rauschning II would all use the Prime Minister’s residence.
Palace Administration
The southwest building houses the Chamberlains of the Palace and contains the offices for the Palace Administration Ministry.
Entertainment
The northwest building was constructed specifically for the entertainment of guests, including the main imperial ballroom, dining hall, as well as a number of salons and parlors in a variety of themes to meet guests. The third floor of the building was set aside as a residence for visiting state dignitaries and their staff.
Grand Fountain
In the center of the four building originally stood a grand, ten meter wide circular fountain. Five water jets representing the previous emperors surrounded the central pedestal
on which an oversized gilded statue of Alexander II held a torch over his head. To the embarrassment of many, the emperor chose to portray himself nude. The Emperor Traian would have the fountain relocated to the center of the Forum of Terra, and the statue was moved to a more discrete and less travelled part of the Imperial Gardens.
The Office of Traian
The Emperor Traian would replace the ornate central fountain with an octagonal greenhouse he used as an office. He had the office constructed in response to critics of previous emperors claiming they never worked and were rarely in their offices. In this way anyone passing by could see that he was attending to his duties. The Office of Traian would be demonished to prepare the space for the Tomb of Constantius.
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