The Hradec Králové Region has selected a company for the reconstruction of Vrbenské Barracks for 341 million CZK

Hradec Králové - A complete reconstruction of the Vrbenské Barracks in the center of Hradec Králové will be carried out by Geosan Group for 341 million crowns. This was reported to ČTK today from the regional public procurement database. Construction work will begin in June, spokesperson for the regional council Dan Lechmann told ČTK today. The supplier of exhibitions and equipment will also be chosen through a competition. Estimates for the cost of transforming the former military facility, including equipment, were around 800 million crowns at the end of last year. Most of the costs should be covered by subsidies.

The construction company will ensure the reconstruction of the current Vrbenské Barracks and the new building, which will be connected to the historic building by a glass corridor. The property belongs to the region. According to subsidy regulations, construction work must be completed by 2025. The establishment of exhibitions is expected to take place in 2026 to 2027.

"We signed the contract for construction work with the supplier at the end of May, and we are currently preparing for the ceremonial start of the construction, which should take place on Friday, June 14," said Pavel Bulíček (Pirates), deputy governor for investments, to ČTK today.

In the public competition for the reconstruction of the Vrbenské Barracks, the Hradec Králové region received six bids. "The supplier with the lowest bid was excluded from the competition. The second most advantageous bid of 341 million crowns including VAT was submitted by Geosan Group," Lechmann stated.

The reconstruction should address the issue of insufficient space for the activities of the Regional Museum of Eastern Bohemia (MVČ) in Hradec Králové, both for professional work and for the presentation of collection items, representatives of the regional council said. The Vrbenské Barracks are located within the former Gayer Barracks military complex, opposite the barracks twin that the region recently renovated for 310 million crowns and is now serving as the main professional facility for the museum.

The Vrbenské Barracks were built in the 19th century. After reconstruction, they will have three above-ground floors in the side wings, four above-ground floors in the central part, and one underground floor. The extension will have one above-ground floor with a flat roof. The extension will be connected to the current building via a glass corridor and will be height-adjusted to the original entrance.

The Vrbenské Barracks will become a modern museum facility. Its thematic focus will be on publicly accessible exhibitions of nature and humanity, along with the operation of a cultural and creative center.

The project has the support of four grant titles totaling more than 500 million crowns. The subsidies will be used for construction work, specifically for the reconstruction of the building and the extension, as well as for equipping the Center for Creative Museology of the Hradec Králové Region and for the establishment of natural science and archaeological exhibitions. Two of the projects will draw funds from the National Recovery Plan, and two projects will draw support from the Integrated Regional Operational Program 2021+, the region reported.