Prague monument inspectors will give a red light to the temporary hall at the Exhibition Grounds

Prague - Prague's conservationists will not agree to a temporary building on the site of the burned wing of the Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds. They prefer a permanent solution. In an interview with ČTK, the head of the conservationists, Jiří Skalický, stated this. Since the palace fire in 2008, the leadership of Prague has been unsuccessfully planning to create a replica. Recently, it announced that it is preparing an architectural competition for a temporary hall costing 200 to 300 million crowns. The plan has been criticized by the opposition. According to them, there is a risk that the expensive temporary structure could eventually become a permanent building.

“The law does not allow for the placement of temporary or provisional buildings on cultural monuments,” Skalický explained. The entire area of the Exhibition Grounds is protected as a monument. The fire engulfed the Art Nouveau Industrial Palace in October 2008 and destroyed its left wing. Since then, a tent has stood on the site, originally built for a temporary period of one to two years. According to the local council, it disfigures the Exhibition Grounds and its surroundings.

The reason the city council has decided to build a temporary hall is the poor condition of the tent. Additionally, the construction of the replica is expected to be completed only in 2024. The temporary building could serve for a year and a half, city councilor Karel Grabein Procházka (ANO) stated in November. Opposition councilor Václav Novotný (TOP 09) considers the plan to be nonsensical and too costly.

The situation around the Exhibition Grounds has been addressed by the city for several years. In 2014, it freed itself from a long-term and, according to some opinions, disadvantageous rental agreement with Incheba. However, this company will still organize some events at the Exhibition Grounds until 2018. The area is in poor condition. A major flood in 2002 caused significant damage. Restoration will require about two billion crowns. Some buildings, such as the circular theater Spirála, will be demolished. In contrast, the ice hockey hall will be preserved.

The Exhibition Grounds at Stromovka was established in 1891 on the occasion of the Jubilee Land Exhibition.