Dvůr Králové will begin designing the renovation of the Mayer factory into a cultural center

Dvůr Králové nad Labem - The company Grimm Architekti from Žďár nad Sázavou will begin designing the conversion of the former Mayer factory into a cultural and entertainment center for the city of Dvůr Králové nad Labem. The company will build on its victory in the architectural competition for the use of the factory that the city organized last year. For the preparation of all stages of the project documentation and the subsequent exercise of author supervision, the city will pay the architects 31.4 million crowns including VAT. The project is expected to be completed in 2025, the city hall spokeswoman Miroslava Kameníková said today.

The area of the former Mayer factory in the city center, covering 5,500 square meters, has several buildings. The town hall estimates the costs of the reconstruction at 350 million crowns. "Although we are at the beginning of preparations, we are already intensely interested in the possibilities of financing the construction from external sources, namely from grants, as we would not be able to manage such a demanding project on our own," said Mayor Jan Jarolím (ANO).

The architects will also develop the interior design of the building, but without the exhibition and interactive displays of the educational entertainment center and amusement park. They will also ensure surveys, expert assessments, and measurements. "In the near future, we will also visit the National Heritage Institute, which will issue a recommendation regarding the project, so that we can consult our approach with the staff there," said architect Rudolf Grimm.

The design by the studio Grimm Architekti retains the three-story reinforced concrete hall of the former textile factory and the adjacent two-story entrance building. It also preserves the entrance and exit to the area from náměstí Republiky and Tylova Street, thus creating a pedestrian connection between them. This maintains the transport accessibility of the neighboring buildings, which are not owned by the city.

The proposal includes a multifunctional hall for culture and education with a capacity of 500 seated spectators with the stage located in the hall and a capacity of 700 spectators if the stage is in the backstage area. "It also includes a space for an educational entertainment center covering an area of 730 square meters and a space for a children's amusement park of 730 square meters. The puppet theater has a proposed capacity of 80 seated spectators. There should be 88 parking spaces in the basement," the town hall stated.

The Mayer factory in náměstí Republiky was purchased by the city of Dvůr Králové in 2017 for 9.4 million crowns from the local cooperative Vánoční ozdoby. It was originally a textile factory, later the area housed a market and also the company Strojtex. The factory's buildings are located in the urban conservation area.