Developer Sekyra is behind the plan to demolish the Žižkov train station

Prague - The development company Sekyra Group has launched a counter-offensive against individuals and associations opposing the planned form of new construction at the Žižkov Cargo Station. Today, the company presented several expert opinions at a press conference that disagree with the potential heritage protection of the functionalist building of the station. A local civic association called "This is not a developer's land" is against the demolition.
On the land of the current station, apartments for about 15,000 people are to be built. However, developers also want to build office buildings and retail spaces. Sudop Group and Discovery Group also want to construct in the area. Czech Railways also have a stake in the project firms preparing the projects at the current station site.
The station building stands in the way of the so-called Jarov connection. This will link the area to existing transport arteries. The development plan includes the demolition of the functionalist building. "The removal of the building is not the primary interest of the developer, but it is a public interest in building this road," Luděk Sekyra, the main shareholder of Sekyra Group, told reporters today.
The Ministry of Culture is currently considering whether to declare the building a cultural monument. The office declared part of the station a cultural monument back in December, but the landowner, Czech Railways, appealed against the decision. Conversely, the people from the association This is not a developer's land are pushing for it. To support their request, they even started collecting signatures for an online petition.
Not only Czech Railways and the developer oppose the functionalist building of the station becoming a cultural monument, but also the municipal heritage conservation department and the Prague 3 municipality. According to the civic association, there is no need to demolish the main building; it can be incorporated into the new project. According to architect Zdeněk Lukeš, who supports the association, the Olšanská Street can go underground beneath the station building or circle around it.
"This building is unique; it has enormous potential for use," Lukeš recently stated. According to him, it could serve as, for example, a repository.