The renovation of the former slaughterhouse in Ostrava is becoming more expensive due to decontamination

Ostrava - The reconstruction of the former city slaughterhouses in the center of Ostrava into the modern art gallery Plato is currently proceeding according to schedule. However, the costs of the reconstruction are being increased by additional work related to the necessary decontamination of the space. The surroundings of the slaughterhouses will also be changed compared to the original project. This was stated to reporters today by the mayor's deputy Zuzana Bajgarová (ANO).

"We are half a year into the construction, and at this moment, we have mainly completed the demolition work, which is clearly visible. In certain parts of the building, the floors have already been concreted, the perimeter structures have been created, and insulation material is being gradually installed," Bajgarová stated. In November, the roof structures are expected to begin construction so that the building can be roofed. Work will then continue on the historical walls, where the damaged bricks will be gradually replaced.

The city originally estimated that the reconstruction would cost about 206 million crowns; currently, it is approximately 218 million crowns. "We found a substantial amount of contaminated soil under the slaughterhouse building, which we had to remove, so there is a partial increase in prices," said Bajgarová. According to her, the city still expects to complete the construction by the end of October next year.

In the vicinity of the gallery, the original design assumed rather paved areas, but the city ultimately agreed with the winning architectural studio KWK Promes, led by Polish architect Robert Konieczny, that there will be significantly more greenery. "We are preparing a project for the revitalization of the slaughterhouse area, which will actually be a green space. The space responds to the original development, creating a structure reminiscent of the original buildings, and there is a large amount of greenery," Bajgarová said.

The modern art gallery will gradually transform five interconnected parts of the building, each of different ages, specifically the original cold storage, new cold storage, pig slaughterhouse, and the covered atrium. The operational building from 1926, which was in an unsustainable technical condition, has already been demolished, and a new one will be built in its place. The future gallery will consist of six exhibition halls that can be interconnected or function independently. Thanks to rotating walls, outdoor space will also be incorporated into the exhibition area.