The former administrative building of VÚTS will return to its form from the 1920s

Liberec - The former administrative building of VÚTS in Liberec is to be returned to its original form from the 1920s by the region. Partitions, later renovations, and the addition of a first floor, which hinders barrier-free use, are to be removed. The building is expected to serve as the European House from autumn, where all providers of European subsidies will be located in one place. The Liberec Region will also move some of its organizations into the building. Reconstruction costs are estimated at 75 million crowns, said regional deputy governor Marek Pieter (Mayors for the Liberec Region) to ČTK today.
    Originally a functionalist building with elements of Art Deco and Expressionism, it was built between 1928 and 1929 according to a design by architect Oskar Baudisch for Jewish businessman Otto Strasse, who operated garages there. In 1951 and between 1969 and 1975, the building underwent reconstructions and additions that changed its original appearance.
    The former VÚTS complex next to the regional office was purchased by the Liberec Region at the end of last year. It paid nearly 125 million crowns for the buildings and land covering more than 11,000 square meters. The complex consists of two buildings - an older and smaller administrative object and a larger and newer workshop area. Currently, the region is preparing renovations for the smaller building, which is to become the European House. However, it needs a complete replacement of networks and windows, a new façade, and an elevator.
    The administrative building offers approximately 3,480 m² of office space. Already, the Regional Development Agency and the regional transport coordinator Korid LK operate there. In the future, Korid is also expected to have a central dispatch and a contact point for the public in the building. According to Pieter, the property department of the regional road administration will also move into the building, later followed by CzechInvest or Euroregion Nisa.
    The Liberec Region is based in its own building on U Jezu Street in the city center. It owns a high-rise building as well as part of the adjacent three-story building. The remaining part of the complex and other properties, including the land, belonged to VÚTS. However, it built a new complex in the Liberec business and industrial zone Sever and moved over a year ago. Since acquiring the complex, the region hopes for easier access to the building of the region and better parking for clients and visitors to the office.