Prague will buy the former Orionka tram depot from the transport company in Vinohrady

Prague - Prague will buy the former Royal Vinohrady Depot from its transport company (DPP), known as Orionka. The price was estimated by a court expert at approximately 189.8 million crowns excluding VAT. The city council approved the sale today in its capacity as the general meeting of DPP. The depot ceased to serve its purpose in the mid-1950s and in 2009 DPP classified it as surplus property. The first part of the depot was created in 1897 when a hall was built along Korunní Street.

"We gave our consent to DPP so that it could sell us the properties in the Orionka site. DPP will therefore sell it to the capital city with the aim of creating a community center there. DPP cannot transfer the land to the capital city in any other simple way, so it is realized as a sale," said the mayor's deputy Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates).

Orionka is a former tram and trolleybus depot, consisting of several parcels and buildings. The main building includes three industrial halls, an office building, and it also has an apartment building heated by a gas boiler, which it acquired in 2020. The complex also includes warehouses, a gatehouse, and shelters as well as a vehicle washing ramp. The yard is illuminated and also contains the historic tram tracks that were laid by František Křižík in 1897.

The city has long sought to acquire the site. According to earlier plans from the city hall, it is to become the cultural-community center Orionka, the project of which is currently in preparation. The area will newly serve for leisure activities, and the zoning plan allows for the planting of greenery.

"We would like to conduct what is called a concession procedure and we will be looking for a tenant who would lease the building for about ten years, partially renovate it, and use it as a cultural center," said the mayor's deputy Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09). According to him, anyone will be able to apply for the competition. "The goal of Prague now is to invest a minimal amount into the building itself and leave it to the operators," Pospíšil said. The cultural activities will be structured so as not to disturb the residents of surrounding houses. People from the area will be able to express their opinions about the cultural content.

The former depot site is currently partially leased, which concerns offices, rooms in the building, or spaces for establishing office and storage areas, as well as parking areas.