Plzeň is willing to pay the contractual penalty for the house with Loose interiors

source: plzen.eu

Plzeň - Plzeň is willing to pay the state a contractual penalty of nearly 4.5 million crowns for failing to meet conditions related to the transfer of the building at Klatovská třída 19 with valuable interiors by Adolf Loos. At the same time, it wants to negotiate with the Ministry of Defense, which transferred the building to the city free of charge in 2005, that this would release Plzeň from all further contractual obligations. The amendment to the contract was approved by the city council today. According to some information that was mentioned during the meeting, the city's proposal could pass at the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance.
    The building, part of which contains valuable Loos interiors, was transferred by the ministry to the city with the condition that the city would repair the entire building and use it for the services of the residents. The plans for use have changed, and the city has not yet completed the repair of the entire building for more than 90 million crowns due to a lack of funds. According to the contract with the ministry, Plzeň was supposed to complete everything by 2015, otherwise, it had to return the building. The councilors proposed the return last December, but the councilors rejected it. The city will now try to conclude a contractual amendment. After paying the penalty, it would no longer be under time pressure and would not face any potential further penalty.
    City heritage officer Petr Marovič told the councilors that the building is stabilized; the city secured the repair of the bay windows, which are related to the valuable interior, for about 400,000 crowns. The building has no significant problems, the roof is relatively in good condition, and there is no risk of leakage, Marovič said. According to him, the city should have enough time to think about the use of the building. There is talk, for example, of establishing a Loos café on the ground floor and further use of space above the Loos interiors, perhaps for research purposes.
    In recent years, Plzeň has repaired several Loos interiors, with their reconstruction always fitting within five million crowns. The collection of interiors has become one of the major attractions and architectural treasures of the city. The costs for the building at Klatovská 19 are so high because it is not possible to repair just the valued interior, but the whole building must be repaired; it will also likely need to have an elevator built. Key to the building is the remnant of Hugo Semler's apartment on the first floor, furnished in the 1930s. The music room is pivotal. According to experts, it is probably the last of Loos' works in Plzeň.