Prague 10 wants to pay 43 million for Karel Čapek's house

Prague - The Prague 10 City Council is expected to approve the purchase of part of the Capek brothers' villa at its meeting on Monday. The half that is up for sale is the one inhabited by writer Karel Capek and his wife. According to information from ČTK, the city hall is willing to pay 43 million crowns for the property. A foreign interested party allegedly offered about 12 million more. The current owner, Karel Scheinpflug, is reportedly willing to sell the property to the city at a lower price based on recent negotiations. The city hall leadership does not want to comment on the circumstances of the sale until a contract is signed.
    The Ministry of Culture confirmed to ČTK that there are foreign interested parties who can offer higher amounts than Prague 10. "If the villa is sold to a foreign interested party, the preservation of the cultural and historical value of this house will be endangered," said Pavla Zdráhalová from the Ministry of Culture to ČTK. According to information from ČTK, it is expected to be Russian capital.
    Culture Minister Jiří Balvín wants to personally address the city council meeting. "The minister will declare the state's interest in participating in the purchase and do everything to save the villa," added Zdráhalová.
    Brothers Karel and Josef Čapek had the villa built in the early 1920s. Josef lived in one half, while Karel lived in the other. Currently, Karel's half of the house, where he lived with his wife Olga Scheinpflugová, is for sale. After her death, the house was inherited by her relatives.
    The sale price includes the property, land, and furnishings of the villa. This is what makes the house an exclusive monument. "Karel Čapek's study today looks as if Karel Čapek just left it. His personal belongings, manuscripts, collections, and libraries haven't been touched since his death, making the whole villa a valuable reminder of this exceptional author," noted Zdráhalová. There is also a room in the attic where the famous "Friday Club" met, including Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk.
    If Prague 10 succeeds in repurchasing the villa, it would like to preserve it in its original state and, if possible, partially make it accessible to the public. The city hall intends to consult experts on a proposal for the future of the villa.
    The city hall reserved the villa from Scheinpflug until the end of September back in June, a plan that was also approved by the city district council. At this meeting, the city hall stated it wants to pay 30 million crowns for the house and 19 million for the furnishings. The owner demanded 55 million.
    The Čapek brothers had the duplex house in Vinohrady built between 1923 and 1924 according to the design of architect Ladislav Machona. After their deaths, the house was inherited by surviving family members. The plot has almost a thousand square meters. The purchase should also include a historical inventory, including archives, manuscripts, photographs, furniture, and travel items.
    The property, which is heritage protected, was also of interest to the Ministry of Culture in June. "We are interested in purchasing it, and we are currently examining our options," said the ministry spokesperson Lenka Brandtová at that time. President Miloš Zeman stated that it should be in public ownership.