Brno has a building permit for a new cultural hall in the city center

Brno - Brno has received a building permit for the Janáček Cultural Center, a new concert hall for the philharmonic. The second phase of the project will link to the underground garages built in the area between Veselá and Besední streets in the city center. Mayor Markéta Vaňková (ODS) hopes that construction work will begin no later than spring 2022.

The deadline for filing appeals has already passed, so Vaňková assumes that the building permit is valid. Therefore, work on the detailed documentation can begin, which will take nearly a year. At the same time, an acoustic model of the hall will be created under the auspices of the experienced Japanese Yasuhisa Toyota. Subsequently, the selection of a contractor will begin.

Despite the expected economic downturn, Brno expects that the state will co-finance the project. The total costs of around two billion crowns should receive at least 600 million crowns from the state. The councilor for culture Marek Fišer (Pirates) has discussed this with the Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD), who reportedly assured him of ongoing support. The city will attempt to negotiate an increase in the state contribution. The region is expected to provide 100 million, with the remainder covered by the city.

The complicated preparation for the construction of the Janáček Cultural Center has long been associated with the issue of the transformer station of the International Hotel, which the city has been trying to acquire for more than 15 years. It affects the area in front of the future hall.

"After a series of complex negotiations, an agreement on the form of property settlement has been reached with the hotel owners, and the technical details are currently being adjusted," said the councilor for property Róbert Čuma (Pirates).

The underground garages will accommodate up to 180 cars. However, they are currently closed. Due to changes in the hall's project, it is necessary to adjust the statics and load-bearing capacity of the underground part of the building. The auditorium of the hall, equipped with an organ and a spacious stage, will accommodate up to 1200 people.

The area in front of the hall is likely to be named after Ludvík Kundera. The city will thus honor the pianist, musicologist, student of Leoš Janáček, and the first rector of the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts.