The repair of the Porubský Arch could be completed at the turn of spring and summer

photo: Tomáš Břeský (poruba.ostrava.cz)

Ostrava – At the turn of this spring and summer, the reconstruction of the Oblouk building in the Ostrava district of Poruba could be completed. The cultural monument with apartments is one of the most famous buildings in the style of socialist realism, the so-called sorel, and serves as the entrance to one of the most populous districts of Ostrava. The renovation will cost approximately 110 million crowns, and a substantial part of the work is already completed, said city hall spokesman Martin Otipka to ČTK today.

"At first glance, it is clear that the work on the reconstruction of the Oblouk has progressed significantly. Most of the plaster has been cleaned, the roof is adorned with beaver tiles instead of metal sheets, and the sgrafito has been repaired. The building already looks largely as it did when it was built. The contrast between the repaired and unrenovated parts is best seen, for example, in the passage on Porubská Street, where half has already been repaired and the other half will be renovated this spring," said the spokesman.

He added that work on the building, whose renovation began last March, did not stop even during the winter. "They simply moved from the exterior to the interior. The sewage system is being replaced, basements are being repaired, and many other things. Once the weather permits, workers will return to the remaining outdoor work. Due to that, there will still be a partial closure of the underpass on Porubská Street," Otipka added.

Mayor Lucie Baránková Vilamová (ANO) already pointed out at the start of the repairs that the Oblouk urgently needed renovation. Over time, it had become a neglected place instead of a representative entrance to Poruba. Years of efforts to renovate the Oblouk had long been hindered by property relations. It was only in October 2019 that the district managed to purchase its share of 128 apartments from the company Residomo, which was the then-owner of part of the apartments. This way, the Oblouk was able to consolidate ownership, and the preparation of its reconstruction project began. Ultimately, all 11 entrances owned by the district will receive a new appearance. The twelfth, a house with a turret, is owned by a housing cooperative and will not be repaired.

The complex of apartment buildings Oblouk was built in the first half of the 1950s. Work began in June 1952 and the first residents moved in in December 1954. Architect Evžen Šteflíček was inspired by Palace Square in St. Petersburg. Since 2008, the Oblouk has been a cultural monument. It is the only building in Poruba that has also made it onto a postage stamp.