Prague has requested an assessment of the environmental impact of the Vltava Philharmonic

Prague - Prague has submitted a notice for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) of the planned construction of a philharmonic hall near the Vltavská metro station. This was revealed by ČTK from the EIA database. The notice will now be assessed by the environmental protection department of the Prague City Hall, which will decide whether a complete assessment will be necessary. The construction, for which architects are currently preparing the documentation, is expected to begin in 2027 and to be completed five years later. According to the latest information, it could cost 13 billion crowns.

The planned complex will host the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK, the Czech Philharmonic, and the music department of the Prague City Library. The City Hall announced an architectural competition for the design of the philharmonic, which was won two years ago by the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group. The city will pay about one billion crowns for the project development.

According to the EIA notice, the philharmonic will have three underground and six above-ground floors and will include three halls – one large concert hall for about 1,800 seated people, a second chamber hall with 500 seats and standing room, and a third multifunctional hall that can accommodate 620 seated or 1,200 standing people.

"In view of the character of the intention, spaces for small and large rehearsal rooms, tuning rooms, recording studios, educational spaces, and a library are proposed,” the document further states. The philharmonic will also have restaurants and cafes, and the underground levels will include parking spaces for 200 cars. The total gross floor area of the above-ground part is to be approximately 41,000 square meters (m2) and 35,000 m2 for the underground part.

According to the document, the intention will also include several other buildings in addition to the philharmonic itself. Specifically, there will be an automobile tunnel on Captain Jaroš Boulevard, adjustments to the waterfront, changes to the transport infrastructure such as the relocation of tram tracks, the construction of new intersections, and the establishment of a new metro vestibule. The final part of the intention will be a new bridge connecting to the Negrelli Viaduct, which will ensure pedestrian underpass in addition to rail transport. It will be created as part of the modernization of the railway to Kladno and to the airport.

According to previous information, the City Hall is seeking co-financing from the state for the construction and is also considering involving private investors. The construction of the new cultural center is expected to kickstart the transformation of the entire surrounding locality Bubny-Zátory, where a neighborhood for up to 25,000 people is to be created.