Heritage protectors do not agree with buildings in the courtyard in the center for now

Prague - Conservators disapprove of the designs for the planned buildings in the courtyard between Na Příkopě, Panská, Jindřišská, and Václavské náměstí streets. The Heritage Council of the Prague branch of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) did not accept the study submitted by the Cigler Marani Architects studio. Among other things, it demands a reduction in the proposed volume of extensions, said NPÚ spokesperson Zdeňka Kalová to ČTK.
    However, she added that the discussion has not yet focused on the architecture of the reconstruction, but rather on urban aspects and their impacts on the entire locality. The conservators agree that newer extensions and devastated objects should be removed from the courtyard. However, NPÚ wants to preserve some objects.
    According to Michal Zachar, the director of the Prague branch of NPÚ, the project is oversized, including the planned high-rise buildings. The conservators also want the new complex to be multifunctional, just like the entire Václavské náměstí. "It's not a bad idea to create a cross and connect the streets with passages," said Zachar. Passages are traditionally part of the center of Prague.
    The new commercial and office center is planned by Welwyn Company, which purchased the block of houses five years ago for 800 million crowns. The center is expected to have 70,000 square meters of commercial, entertainment, and office space, along with three floors of underground garages.
    The study considers the renovation of some adjacent buildings. Demolitions of obsolete building structures after the closed printing operation are planned, and some demolitions have already been approved by the City Hall's heritage care department (the courtyard part of the building on Jindřišská).
    Due to the intention to build underground garages, an archaeological survey is necessary, as valuable finds are anticipated at the location. Additionally, the conservators fear that the construction of the garages could disrupt the stability of surrounding buildings.
    According to documents submitted by the company for assessing the environmental impacts of the construction, the garages will only be accessible via ramps from Václavské náměstí. The proposal follows the study by Cigler Marani Architects for a new form of the square, which won a competition. Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS) told ČTK that the reconstruction of Václavské náměstí could begin next year, and the city council should discuss the project in the near future.
    "The priority of NPÚ is the preservation and heritage restoration of valuable cultural monuments, especially the Sylva-Tarrouca Palace, including the rear courtyards, gardens, and riding hall. A similarly rigorous approach should be taken towards the Millesimovský Palace and the U Diesbachů Palace on Panská Street, which are also cultural monuments," says the spokesperson. Even the quality of the building at Jindřišská 7, according to the conservators, justifies the imposition of strict conditions for proper heritage restoration, even though it is just a street-level object.
    The new Darex building on Václavské náměstí may be replaced by a new object, and the appearance of the new street facade will be addressed by the heritage council. "The neighboring building from the Blech brothers should be preserved and restored. We also demand the retention of the brick chimney as evidence of the industrial operation of the old printing house," added the spokesperson.
    The City Hall's heritage care department, which unlike the NPÚ has decision-making authority, demands that cultural monuments be reconstructed at the project site. It also pointed out that it could happen that they will want to revise the project, or "consider the possibility of rejecting the proposal for reconstruction and extension".
    Prague 1 is currently not intervening in the project, waiting to see how negotiations between the authorities and the investor progress. "On one hand, it is necessary for the reconstruction of these courtyards to occur; on the other hand, it should be done in a way that absolutely fits into the character of the surrounding buildings and does not disrupt the nature of construction in this part of Nové Město," said Prague 1 mayor Petr Hejma to ČTK.
    The Cigler Marani Architects studio has several Prague realizations or designs in preparation for realization among its projects. Recently, for example, a new RFE/RL building opened in Hagibor, and construction of a building on Národní třída next to the heritage-protected Máj department store will begin soon.