A group of personalities proposed a new design for the Old Town Market

Prague - The protected historical building of the Old Town Market should serve the public not only for shopping, several personalities involved in a project to revitalize this space stated today. The initiative is led by café owner Ondřej Kobza and operator of the Old Market in Bratislava, Gabor Bindics. The city of Prague plans to reconstruct the market located between Rytířská and 28. října streets for more than 300 million crowns. Representatives of the project supporting its revitalization presented their proposal to the city today for operating the market. The city hall stated that it is currently addressing the reconstruction, and an operator will be selected afterwards.

The revival of the market and its connection with urban life is also advocated by other personalities, such as architect David Vávra, designer Maxim Velčovský, and director Jan Hřebejk. "We were not invited, but we took this step ourselves. For me, it is a humiliation that Prague does not yet have such a market," said Kobza in reference to today’s proposal submission. According to him, the market should be the center of urban life. For example, the one in Bratislava offers cultural events during the workweek, gastronomic events, farmers' markets, and communal breakfasts every Saturday, Bindics mentioned. The project representatives are concerned that in Prague, the market after reconstruction will just turn into a collection of shops and fast-food outlets.

The proposal is inspired by the Bratislava market. It assumes that the city may not need to subsidize the market's operation. For the first four years, the operator would pay a monthly rent of 300,000 crowns, and afterwards, the rent would increase such that the total amount over 30 years would reach 210 million crowns. The proposal also addresses logistical issues and waste. Much of it would be compostable and usable in an internal garden.

According to city hall spokesman Vít Hofman, a contractor for the reconstruction is currently being selected, and the question of the market tenant will be addressed afterwards. The contractor should be known in November. "In the framework of the reconstruction, we are also addressing the basic layout of the market, which we will further specify with the winner of the operator competition," added Hofman.

The Old Town Market dates back to 1894; without reconstruction, its condition is likely to deteriorate further, and maintenance costs will rise. Two years ago, Prague considered leasing the building to a company that would renovate it and operate it for 25 years. This plan was abandoned due to concerns that the selected company might lack experience with monument repairs and with real estate leasing. Currently, the ground floor of the market serves as a shopping center, with shops and restaurants built into the space. Only a decorated passage from Rytířská Street reminds of its historical value.