The PPF object in Prague won in the competition of the Chamber of Architects

Prague - The planned construction of the PPF building at Vítězné náměstí in Prague faces criticism, but the company claims that the design won the competition of the Czech Chamber of Architects. PPF is backed by well-known names in the field. The design of the multifunctional Line building was praised, for example, by architect Eva Jiřičná, Jan Chromeček from the board of the company Vítězné náměstí, which falls under PPF Real Estate, told ČTK.
     According to the president of the Association for the Protection and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic (ASORKD) Pavel Ries, however, the building will destroy the genius loci of the square. Some opposition councilors in Prague 6 also have objections to the construction.
     The president of ASORKD criticizes the plan for the PPF building at Vítězné náměstí, as he believes the building "completely ignores any context with the surroundings." According to councilor Alexandr Holub (TOP 09), the city hall intends to abandon the possibility of creating spaces for public use in the building by requesting a change to the zoning plan.
     PPF defends the building both architecturally and in terms of public services. "The architecture of the Line building at Vítězné náměstí is appreciated by renowned architects, among whom are Eva Jiřičná, architectural historian Zdeněk Lukeš, or architect Johny Eisler. The winning design was selected by a professional jury in a competition organized by the Czech Chamber of Architects," Chromeček stated. The Architectural Studio of Radan Hubička was successful in the competition. "The building also meets all regulations for the given area. It will improve the local civic amenities, and the residents of the area themselves support the construction," he added.
     According to plans from the 1990s, a new city hall was to be built on the plot between Jugoslávských partyzánů and Verdunská streets. However, Prague 6 ultimately decided to renovate the existing city hall and build a commercial building at Vítězné náměstí in cooperation with PPF. According to councilor Holub, the lease of the land was supposed to bring the city up to 40 million crowns a year. However, last year the city hall approved that PPF could build on the land itself, and the rent was reduced to about four million. "Prague 6 lost influence over what will be built in the square," believes Holub.
     Former mayor of Prague 6 and current Minister of the Environment Tomáš Chalupa (ODS) opposed the objections of councilor Holub, who works as an architect. "(Holub) was among those for whom the city hall ordered architectural studies for the development of Vítězné náměstí and the new city hall. I cannot shake the impression that his personal stance against the current development of Vítězné náměstí and the renovation of the city hall is merely a vendetta for the fact that a project he himself participated in over ten years ago was not and will not be realized," Chalupa told ČTK.
     Councilor Holub admits that he prepared a study for the city hall in 1998, the purpose of which was to verify that the construction program of the city hall would fit into the square. He received 47,000 crowns for his work, which he says corresponded to the overhead costs. "In no other period have I participated in the project for this area; no one has approached me in this regard, and therefore the claim of economic interest in this area is absurd," Holub told ČTK today.
     Mayor Marie Kousalíková (ODS) also disagrees with the opposition's objections. According to her, the council approved a regulatory study that fixes parameters of the building, such as height, shape, and capacity. The investor's proposal has also reportedly been discussed by a commission and working group consisting of representatives from both the coalition and the opposition, which had access to expert assessments from architects. The council is likely to discuss the development and use of the land at Vítězné náměstí at an extraordinary meeting on February 15.
     The planned PPF building is to have 13,290 m² of office space. An additional 1,860 m² is to be allocated for shops and cafes. The project includes 2,629 m² for public facilities such as a library, media library, and lecture halls.