Demolition has started at the Radimský Mill site in Kolín, over 250 apartments will be built there

Kolín - In Kolín, on the grounds of the Radim mill by the Elbe River, builders are expected to construct residential buildings with more than 250 apartments in the coming years. The company Real-Treuhand Reality & Development bought the dilapidated site last autumn. The historic building, also known in Kolín as the Podskalský mill, intends to undergo partial reconstruction. Demolition work began this week, with the construction of apartments anticipated to start in May, said ČTK on behalf of the owner, Pavla Maříková.

"Based on the issued building permit, more than 250 apartments with varied layouts, new spaces for cafés or restaurants, and part of the project includes the reconstruction and expansion of the cycle path with a promenade and pier, which will be available for all residents of Kolín," Maříková stated.

The investor has collaborated with the city administration on the project from the beginning. "The result is maximum respect for the historical legacy of the industrial site of the mill, intentional disorganization of the overall urbanism, perpendicular orientation towards the river, which reflects the permeability of the area and possible growth of greenery, terraced design of the houses, and other aspects of the project. I consider both the intention and the project to be very high-quality work of the studio," said city architect David Mateásko to ČTK.

According to Mayor Michael Kašpar (Change for Kolín), the city changed the zoning plan some time ago; initially, only family homes were allowed in the area. "We wanted the place to remain open to the public, not a fenced area with several family homes, which is why a change to residential buildings was necessary," Kašpar said. He added that the city had additional conditions that the investor respected. "For example, the expansion of the cycle path or placing most parking spaces underground," the mayor added.

The Podskalský mill on the so-called Zálabská side of the Elbe, since the mid-19th century also called Radimský after one of its owners, was established at the end of the 13th century. The site has burned down several times and was rebuilt. It served as a mill but also for other economic activities. In 1948, it was nationalized and came under the national enterprise Central Bohemian Mills. After 1989, it was returned to the descendants of the last owners in a restitution.