The reconstruction of VÚTS in Liberec into the European House will be more expensive

Liberec - The reconstruction of the former administrative building of VÚTS (formerly the Research Institute of Textile Machines) next to the regional headquarters in Liberec into the European House will be about four percent more expensive. The reason is mainly the requests of future tenants that could not be anticipated when the construction was commissioned, said today to ČTK the Deputy Governor of Liberec Region, Marek Pieter (Mayors for the Liberec Region). The original price of 92.8 million crowns including VAT will thus increase by approximately 3.8 million, with the region financing the construction without subsidies.

The former administrative building of VÚTS is a functionalist structure with elements of Art Deco and Expressionism. It was built between 1928 and 1929 according to the design of architect Oskar Baudisch for the Jewish merchant Otto Strasse, who operated garages there. In 1951 and from 1969 to 1975, the building underwent reconstructions and extensions that changed its appearance both inside and outside. "Just like with the construction of the hospice, we are trying to revitalize the old object here and give it a new use. It is definitely better than building on a green field, even if it would be cheaper," Pieter said.

The reconstruction is aimed at returning the building to its original appearance as much as possible, although some issues were not revealed by the structural and technical survey according to Pieter. Therefore, the Liberec Region addressed the price increase through three amendments. "This includes, for example, adjustments to the layout of the meeting rooms or the addition of their equipment. There are also modifications to the entrance of the building and the connection of information technologies. Other adjustments concern the assembly of roof and ceiling panels, unevenness of facades, but also new connections to the heating plant or solving the sewage water drainage from the buildings, as the original drawings from the time of construction of this building have not survived," Pieter added.

The reconstruction is to be completed by mid-May. "By August, it should be operational," Pieter stated. The European House will be created there, where applicants will find providers of European grants in one place. According to Pieter, key is the branch of the Centre for Regional Development of the Czech Republic (CRR), which will serve as a contact point for the Integrated Regional Operational Programme (IROP). The building will also host, for example, Euroregion Nisa, which administers small projects from Czech-Polish and Czech-Saxon EU programs, and there will also be a central dispatching center for public transport. "We have practically filled every office already, contracts have been signed with three entities, and others are being finalized," Pieter added.