At Prague's main train station, reconstruction of the interiors of the Fanta building has begun

Prague – With the signing of the contract today, the reconstruction of the interiors of the historic Fanta building at Prague's main train station has officially begun. The work, costing 303 million crowns, will be carried out by construction companies Avers and Strabag Rail. The construction of a underpass from the station to Žižkov is also continuing until this August. Jiří Svoboda, the general director of the Railway Administration (SŽ), said this to journalists today. The administration also opened a new information center at the Prague main train station. In addition to that, it is preparing more large construction projects at the main station for the coming months.

The first part of the renovation of the interior spaces of the listed building will focus on the large historical halls in the northern part of the Fanta building and their facilities. The representative spaces should return to their original historical appearance as much as possible. Construction work is also planned on the ground floor, first underground level, and mezzanine. The building is to gain connections with the underpasses. Work in this part will be completed in about a year. This part of the reconstruction will be followed by work in the remaining spaces, with the exception of the already renovated former Fanta café. Barrier-free access to the individual floors will be provided by elevators. There will also be an additional connection to the new check-in hall of the main station. Repairs are expected to be fully completed by 2023.

Currently, builders are also gradually completing the reconstruction of the façade and roof of the Fanta building. The outdoor work, costing 212 million crowns, is expected to be finished by the end of June. In the summer, the administration plans to illuminate the building as well. A new underpass is also expected to open in August, which will connect pedestrian access from the main station to Žižkov at the corner between Seifertova and Italská streets. In the future, the administration also plans to renovate all the underpasses, but only one should lead to Žižkov.

Today, the Railway Administration also ceremoniously opened the first information center at Prague's main train station, which, according to the organization, should expand communication options about the railway with the public. "The information center primarily serves to answer questions from passengers and provide assistance services. We will also use it to introduce our company. On large projection screens, we will present major constructions and screen recruitment or preventative videos from the Railway Administration,” described Svoboda.

Besides that, the administration is preparing other projects at the main station. These include the construction of new information systems that display data on train departures and arrivals at the station. Plans also include the renovation of the areas in front of the Fanta building on the roadway. The administration has also analyzed the condition of the current new check-in hall and is now planning to announce an architectural competition for its reconstruction. Changes should also be made to the appearance of the side of the station. The upcoming reconstruction is also expected to involve the parking lot located on the roof of the hall. SŽ wants to utilize that space differently in the future, including access to it. The administration is also working with the city to prepare a tram line to the station and to transform Vrchlického sady. According to the organization, these are all projects whose preparation or realization should begin in the coming months or in a few years.

The Fanta building, along with the adjacent hall above the platforms, is the largest Art Nouveau monument in the Czech Republic. The Railway Administration hopes that the reconstruction will revitalize the building. After completion, travelers should find a café, restaurant, waiting area, or children's corner within it. Currently inaccessible spaces on the ground floor will be opened to the public. The columned hall is planned to function as a VIP waiting area, while the large hall will become a multifunctional space for cultural and social events. New hygiene facilities will also be created for visitors to the cultural halls in the reconstructed spaces. Currently, the building is used by the Railway Authority, Czech Railways, Railway Administration, and the police. They will continue to be based here after the reconstruction.