The Building of the Year in the Karlovy Vary Region is the restoration of the lookout tower on Klínovec

Karlovy Vary - The reconstruction of the lookout tower on Klínovec was awarded today by an expert jury as the best building in the competition for Construction of the Karlovy Vary Region 2014. The best project was chosen to be the reconstruction of the National House in Karlovy Vary. The public appreciated the reconstruction of the Smíchovský Pavilion restaurant in an internet voting, Anna Vlášková from the organizing Regional Construction Association Karlovy Vary informed ČTK.
    The lookout tower on Klínovec is one of the symbols of the Ore Mountains. Due to the dilapidated state of the entire hotel area and the lookout tower, the entire complex of buildings was closed in September 2004. The object was supposed to be repaired in 2004, but due to damaged masonry, the reconstruction was halted.
    The reconstruction of the Klínovec lookout tower eventually became part of a joint project that included comprehensive repairs of the Klínovec lookout tower, the reconstruction of the original access path to the summit of Klínovec, and the expansion of the museum exhibitions of the Local History Museum in Boží Dar. The total costs, including the projects, were about 15 million crowns.
    The jury awarded second place to the reconstruction of the Stallburg house in Kyselka and third place went to the Karlovy Vary Information Center on Lázeňská Street. Among the projects, experts chose the reconstruction of the National House as the best, followed by the project of the Municipal Baths in Cheb.
    Every year, the public also votes on the internet for the building, project, and this year for the rescued monument as well. This year, people cast 13,865 valid votes. Among the buildings, the Smíchovský Pavilion restaurant reconstruction in Karlovy Vary was deemed the most successful. The original building, named Sports Pavilion, had been modified and rebuilt many times in the past. The pavilion was closed to the public for several years. To reopen it, it was necessary to replace the technical facilities of the building, the roofing, and the interior furnishings. The overall concept for the renovation of the pavilion was developed by architect Alexander Mikoláš.
    Among the projects, people voted the most for the National House in Karlovy Vary from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The investor's intention is to repair the National House hotel so that it serves its original purpose in its original historic form. The hotel has been closed for years and is devastated.
    Among the rescued monuments, people voted the most for the complex of farmsteads in Salajna. The water mill at No. 9 with a large enclosed square farmyard of the Egerland type was probably founded in the 17th century near the Šitbořský stream. The second farmstead at No. 12, in the form of a large originally enclosed courtyard, was likely founded in the 18th century. Both objects underwent gradual reconstruction between 2003 and 2012.
    The Karlovy Vary governor awarded a prize for the revitalization of the hospital in Sokolov, specifically for the new stroke unit. The Mayor of Karlovy Vary, Petr Kulhánek (KOA), awarded a prize to a family house in Stará Role according to the design of the A69 studio.
    The Stavebnictví magazine award went to the reconstruction of the catering operation of the Thermal hotel.
    This year, a record number of 27 buildings and six projects competed for the award.