The competition for the restoration of Masaryk Square in Jihlava was won by MCA atelier

Jihlava - The best proposal for the revitalization of Masarykovo náměstí in Jihlava was presented by the Prague-based MCA atelier, according to the jury. Among other things, the central area of the regional city plans to create a promenade formed by two rows of trees and also proposes modifications to the criticized department store in the middle of the square. The jury of the architectural competition announced by the city evaluated 12 proposals, and the results were approved by the city council today. The city hall is preparing an exhibition of the proposals, said the competition coordinator Tereza Kafková to journalists.

The MCA atelier includes architects Miroslav Cikán and Pavla Melková. "The consensus that this is the winning proposal was unequivocal," Kafková stated. Masarykovo náměstí, covering an area of 3.7 hectares, is among the largest in the Czech Republic and is part of the city's heritage conservation area. The estimated cost of the proposed modifications to the public spaces is 200 million crowns excluding taxes. "We had the costs already included in the brief (for the competition)," Kafková specified. The city hall has already announced plans to implement the changes gradually.

The architectural competition was launched by the city in May, with applications accepted until August 10. The jury convened on September 11. The second prize was awarded to a group including architects Miloš Klement, Michal Říčný, and Petr Todorov.

According to Kafková, the MCA atelier's proposal impressed the jury because it is based on the order that the square has had since its establishment. The number of trees in the square is expected to increase by about one third. The linden trees near the Marian Column should be removed, while two rows of trees are to be newly planted in the western part of the square. The architects also proposed changes to the appearance of the department store (formerly Prior), which belongs to a private owner, including replacing the delivery ramp leading to the underground of the department store with an elevator. "The primary goal of the competition was not to solve the department store, but we wanted to address the connection between the department store and the square," Kafková said.

There should be around 220 parking spaces remaining in the square. However, the parking lot is to be newly modified so that its area can occasionally be used for various events.