The Heritage Inspection has initiated a review process due to the 'marshmallow'

Prague - The heritage inspection of the Ministry of Culture initiated proceedings at the beginning of July aimed at reviewing the issued mandatory opinions of the Department of Heritage Care of the City Hall regarding the planned construction in close proximity to the St. Agnes Monastery. This was reported today by Martin J. Kadrman, vice-president of the Association of Organizations for the Protection and Development of Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic (ASORKD).
    It was this association that submitted the proposal to initiate the review proceedings. Its members, along with the Civil Monitoring Association, have long criticized the new construction, which people have nicknamed "marshmallow" due to the color of the facade shown in its visualization. The heritage inspection can amend or possibly annul the already issued mandatory opinions of the City Hall.
    "The relevant mandatory opinion allowing the construction of the residential building according to the proposed architectural design also does not correspond with the Convention for the Protection of Architectural Heritage in Europe. By adopting it, the Czech Republic has committed to 'prevent the distortion, decay, or demolition of protected properties,'" the heritage inspection further stated.
    The majority of the land on which the construction is planned belongs to Prague. The investor cannot start building yet. Besides the ongoing appeal period, the zoning decision for this construction will be reviewed based on the decision of the city construction office.
    The project has sparked protests from hundreds of people in recent months. The house was designed by architect Zdeněk Fránek, and the project has changed several times. Regarding the extended visualizations, by which people nicknamed the house, he stated that he never counted on a facade in pink color.
    The original version of the project from 2008 was rejected by the Ministry of Culture based on the opinion of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) and the permit from Prague heritage protectors was revoked in 2010. However, the new project by Praga Progetti e investimenti was approved by both NPÚ and city heritage protectors, based on which a building permit was issued, albeit still not final.