Prague: The government district can be in Holešovice, not in Letňany

Prague - The so-called government quarter could grow in Prague in Holešovice near the metro station Nádraží Holešovice. The Office for the Representation of the State in Property Affairs (ÚZSVM) has started negotiations with the city regarding the placement of the buildings. The quarter could house up to four ministries and would create an area of 130,000 m² of gross floor space. Prague will present the project at the end of January. This was stated by Mayor Adriana Krnáčová (ANO) and the director of the Institute of Planning and Development Ondřej Boháč.

The intention was discussed by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) when introducing individual ministers to their offices. It is also part of the government's program declaration. Babiš reminded that he had been working on the proposal earlier when he was the Minister of Finance. The buildings of some ministries, such as the Ministry of Regional Development in Old Town Square or the Ministry of Culture in Malá Strana, could serve as museums and galleries.

However, Deputy Mayor of Prague Petra Kolínská (SZ/Trojkoalice) perceives the construction of the quarter as problematic. "As the councilor for spatial development, I would like to point out to the Prime Minister that the intention to relocate thousands of officials with the leadership of Prague is really not agreed upon. The council or the assembly have never discussed this proposal, and thus they have not approved anything related to it," she stated. The argument against construction is, according to Kolínská, the depopulation of the center. "It is a negative trend and we must fight against it, not help it," she stated.

According to Boháč, the buildings could stand on plots of land extending from the metro exit towards Pražská teplárenská. It is claimed that an advantage is that for part of the land, no changes to the zoning plan would be necessary. The biggest owners of the land in this area are Prague and the state. It is not yet clear which ministries would relocate. There should be shops or restaurants on the ground floors of the buildings. The Institute of Planning and Development is negotiating with ÚZSVM, which is overseen by the Ministry of Finance. If both sides agree, ÚZSVM would also need the government’s consent.

Originally, Babiš proposed to build the quarter in Letňany. However, Prague does not like this plan, as it would essentially create a quarter detached from the city. "So far, it is in the initial phase. We will present the project at the end of January. However, if it were in Letňany, it would cause problems and would not create a functioning quarter, where there is not only work but also life," Krnáčová said.

According to Babiš, the authorities pay 400 million crowns a year for commercial rent in the capital, adding that Prague has a long-term shortage of office space. "Such a government quarter makes a lot of sense; there are huge synergies in terms of energy and management," he stated.