The preparation of the new Prague Philharmonic will be taken over by the Prague Development Company

Prague - The preparation for the new Prague Philharmonic by the Vltavská metro station will be taken over from the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) by the city-funded organization Prague Development Company (PDS). This decision was made today by the Prague councilors. IPR is currently completing the international architectural competition for the design of the concert hall, with results expected to be announced in May. This will be followed by work on the project documentation. According to the schedule, the building is expected to be completed in 2032 and earlier estimates suggest it will cost about six billion crowns.

The architectural competition for the philharmonic was announced by the city at the end of August last year, and according to Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (TOP 09), the jury will choose from 19 proposals. After selecting the winner, the project will be taken over by PDS, which was established by the city specifically for the purpose of preparing construction projects on municipal land.

Councilor Jan Chabr (TOP 09) added that the city hall is also negotiating to acquire land for the construction. Although the majority of the necessary plots around the Vltavská metro station are owned by the city, some are owned by entities such as the Czech Railways Administration or scouts. Therefore, the city has already prepared a proposal to exchange these plots for other city properties.

According to the construction preparation schedule, the city plans to prepare project documentation with the winner after the proposal is selected. They aim to obtain building permits by the end of 2024. The development of the project is expected to cost the city about 750 million crowns. The actual construction is estimated to cost about 5.35 billion crowns, and the city hall is seeking co-financing from the state and is also considering involving private investors.

Further large investments will be necessary to modify the surrounding currently unused area, including in transportation infrastructure and similar aspects. The city hall is preparing a change to the zoning plan for the Bubny-Zátory brownfield, where the location for the philharmonic is situated. Among other things, residential construction is planned there.

The new building, with several halls, should house the Czech Philharmonic, the Symphony Orchestra of the Capital City of Prague FOK, and the music department of the City Library in Prague. According to the city's vision, the complex will be open all day and will offer not only cultural spaces but also cafes and restaurants. Discussions about the construction of a large concert hall in Prague have been ongoing for decades, and previously the city considered, for example, placing it in Letná.