Prague 7 will renovate the former water tower in Letná

Prague - Prague 7 is preparing to renovate the former water tower in Letná. The city hall has already announced a tender for a contractor. The reconstruction is expected to cost approximately 34 million crowns excluding VAT, as reported by ČTK from the public procurement bulletin. According to the spokesperson for the seventh district, Martin Vokuš, the facility should primarily be used for leisure activities for children and youth.
     As part of the planned reconstruction, the entire facility will be repaired, including the facade, utilities, heating, sewage, and air conditioning systems. Significant changes are also expected for the interior. Landscaping and new fencing are planned for the surrounding area. The historical pump, which is part of the complex, will also be restored, Vokuš stated.
    The tower, built in 1888 and standing more than 38 meters tall, is expected to begin reconstruction in the first quarter of next year. "As part of the preparatory phase of the reconstruction, we also gave citizens the opportunity to express how they would like the water tower and the surrounding land to be used," said Vokuš. According to him, the vast majority of people wanted the continuation of sports and leisure programs and club activities for children and youth. "Prague 7 would also like to make the tower more accessible to the public after the reconstruction and turn it into a popular and frequently visited place for a wide range of activities," added the spokesperson.
    According to Vokuš, the Neo-Renaissance water tower was completed in 1888 according to the design of architect Jindřich Fialka. The construction was carried out by the company Karel Hübschmann and František Schlaffer. The tower was part of the water supply complex that provided water to the upper part of Holešovice and Bubeneč. It was decommissioned from service in 1913. Subsequently, apartments for waterworks employees were built into its individual floors. Later, part of the tower was used as storage. In the 1970s, the underground four-chamber cylindrical water tank and pumping station were demolished.