Prague plans to partially open the Šlechtova restaurant this April

Prague – The leadership of the capital city intends to partially open the Šlechtova restaurant in April of this year. Currently, it is examining and addressing the possibility of partial occupancy of the reconstructed monument. Hana Třeštíková (Prague Sobě), a Prague councilor, said this in an interview with ČTK today. The renovation of the restaurant began in 2017. In the future, the monument will be managed by the municipal company Obecní dům.

"The Šlechtova restaurant could already have some functions for the public in April. I mainly wish for the possibility of refreshments and access to restrooms. We are doing everything we can to make it happen," Třeštíková said.

The partial opening apparently does not depend solely on the repair of the building itself, but also on its surroundings. Paths, flower beds are also being reconstructed, the city is addressing the repair of the slope behind the building, and wants to plant what is called a horse chestnut. According to Třeštíková, the matter will depend on the coordination of work. "We will have a coordination meeting about this on Thursday. I hope that by April at the latest, we will outline what the summer operation will look like," she said.

Prague handed the building over for reconstruction to the selected contractor before the summer of 2017, and workers and restorers began a complete repair of the interior and exterior spaces. The reconstruction will cost 123 million crowns. The original plans also included glazing the atrium, which will ultimately not be done.

The Šlechtova restaurant building was created in the 17th century as a baroque summer palace. A restaurant has been here since the 19th century, most recently run by Antonín Šlechta, under whom it operated until World War II. It was subsequently nationalized.

The property is now a national cultural monument, owned by the capital city. The rescue of the property, which had long been neglected, began two years ago. The city anticipates that it will pay 120 million crowns for the reconstruction.