At the Exhibition Grounds in Prague 7, the reconstruction of the burned wing of the Industrial Palace has begun

Prague – The reconstruction of the burned wing of the Industrial Palace has begun at the Exhibition Grounds in Prague 7. Workers have started with the relocation of engineering networks and so-called winter works. A survey of the right wing, which will be completely renovated, will also begin. Representatives of the city hall and the municipal company Výstaviště Praha handed over the construction site today. This was stated to reporters by Deputy Mayor Pavel Vyhnánek, head of Výstaviště Tomáš Hübl, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Metrostav DIZ Karel Volf.

The Industrial Palace burned down in 2008. The restoration costs are estimated to be around 2.64 billion CZK, with completion expected in 2024. The work will be carried out by the consortium Společnost pro Průmyslový palác led by Metrostav. The reconstruction effort has been accompanied by long-term problems.

"An incredible 13 years have passed since the devastating fire. Since then, the people of Prague have heard many promises about reconstruction, but they have not seen it happen. We have less than three years of work, obstacles, and discussions ahead of us, but at the end, we will have a renewed wing and a repaired rest of the palace waiting for us," said Vyhnánek.

The selected consortium, which includes besides Metrostav also the companies Avers and Syner, will construct a replica of the burned wing, which will be equipped with modern technologies inside. It will use heat pumps with deep wells for heating. The palace will be outfitted with air conditioning and so-called shading technology. A new massive basement will be created under the left wing, which will house the facilities for preparing exhibitions.

The builders have already started repairs in recent weeks by relocating engineering networks. According to Volf, they will now begin winter works in the space of the burned left wing. Simultaneously, surveys will begin in the right wing. Experts will examine historical elements before its renovation and propose specific repairs, Volf said. Some elements will be produced as pure replicas. Parts of the steel structures will be done using modern methods that will, however, appear like a historical building.

In the central part of the building, all stained glass windows will be repaired. A complete restoration awaits those facing the burned wing, which was significantly damaged by the heat from the fire. The original colors of the stained glass windows will be restored. Non-original drywall walls will be removed. On the sides, there will be parapets with tympanums. The balcony built in the 1950s will be preserved. There will also be a gastronomic facility created here. The entrances to the newly built wing will be restored.

In the restoration plans, there were considerations to demolish the mentioned extension from the 1950s, which is presented along the front wall of the palace. "Originally, you entered directly into that hall. However, in the end, its utility value prevailed, as it allows you to connect all three halls through the interior," said architect Vladimír Thiele.

The reconstruction will limit access to the upper part. "The Exhibition Grounds will continue to operate in other areas. The access road will be from the front. A narrow passage will be marked for visitors. But the easiest way will be to walk through Stromovka,” said Hübl.

Efforts to restore the palace have been plagued by long-term problems. The city, among other things, has been litigating over insurance money after the wing burned down. Prague councilors decided in 2018 to announce the order. However, the current city leadership canceled it in October 2019, as it had been announced incorrectly. Thus, the repairs were delayed again.

The palace was built for the Jubilee Land Exhibition in 1891 according to the design of architect Bedřich Munzberger. From the beginning, it served for exhibitions and other cultural events, even though it was originally meant to be a temporary structure. From 1952 to 1954, the communist government decided to change its function, and the main hall of the palace was converted into a social and dance hall. Its name was also changed to the Congress Palace, which was part of the then Park of Culture and Relaxation Julia Fučík.