The owners of the Intercontinental hotel have requested a change in the zoning plan for new construction

Prague - The owners of the Intercontinental hotel in Prague have requested a change in the zoning plan that would allow the criticized construction in Miloš Forman Square. Today, the committee for urban development of the Prague council recommended initiating its preparation, with the final decision resting with the council plenary. The proposed construction in the square adjacent to the hotel is criticized by the Prague 1 municipal office and some local residents; the investor previously failed to obtain a zoning decision due to inconsistencies with the zoning plan.

The hotel and its surroundings are owned by entrepreneurs Oldřich Šlemr, Eduard Kučera, and Pavel Baudiš through the R2G fund. They acquired it in 2019 and subsequently presented a project for the reconstruction of the hotel and improvements to its surroundings, which included enhancing connectivity towards the Vltava River, creating public spaces, and new commercial buildings, including a structure in the neighboring square, then called Brandstore.

The reconstruction, which preserves the original appearance of the hotel from the 1970s, has already been initiated by the owners, as well as other modifications to the area around the building. However, they encountered obstacles regarding the new building with shops they planned for the renovated Miloš Forman Square.

Opposition to the construction arose from some local residents, which Prague 1 and the city hall joined in the previous electoral period. An invalid decision regarding the construction was subsequently annulled by the Ministry for Regional Development based on an appeal, which rejected the opinion regarding the compliance of the project with the zoning plan.

The owners have now requested a change in the zoning plan to a so-called generally mixed function that would allow the construction. The investor had previously presented a proposal for the modified building, and the city council supported the proposal. In contrast, Prague 1 insists on its disagreement with the cessation of the square, a large portion of which is currently occupied by the roof of underground garages. If the change in the zoning plan is to begin, it must be approved by the Prague council by mid-year; otherwise, it will no longer be possible once the amendment to the construction code takes effect in July.

Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (STAN) stated at the committee meeting today that the investor has the right to defend its project in a democratic process, which the zoning plan change discussion is. "I do not consider it a correct opinion to not begin a democratic debate," he said. He also praised the responsible approach of the hotel owners during its reconstruction. A representative of the owners at the meeting stated that the investor is ready for discussion.

The approval of the motion was criticized by Anna Vinklárková, an architect from the civil association Arnika and a member of the urban development committee of Prague 1. She stated that the Ministry of Culture previously expressed that the area around the hotel is protected within the heritage reserve during the investor's last attempt to obtain a zoning decision. "If you initiate that proposal, it will just run into the fact that the ministry will not approve it again, and it is a completely unnecessary waste of time," she said.