In Pardubice, the conversion of the mills has begun; they will become a gallery

Pardubice - In Pardubice, the reconstruction of part of the Automatic Mills, designed by architect Josef Gočár, officially began today. In less than two years, it will become a gallery. The region will spend almost 374 million crowns on the project with the help of subsidies. This was announced to journalists by Deputy Governor Roman Línek (Coalition for Pardubice Region).

"It is the oldest building on the site. We need two construction seasons to complete everything. After a century of flour, a century of art follows. Former industrial buildings are successfully changing their purpose all over the world," Línek told ČTK.

The gallery in the former mills has been designed by architects Petr Všetečka, Robert Václavík, Tereza Novotná, Karel Menšík, and Kajetán Všetečka from the Transat studio. "The construction is significantly exterior in the original Gočár concept; inside it was a worldly matter. We express the cultural role inside through a new light direction," said Petr Všetečka.

After completion, the mills will be inhabited by the East Bohemian Gallery. According to director Hana Řeháková, the generously designed exhibition spaces will offer curators new opportunities and visitors exceptional experiences.

"For instance, the main exhibition hall will be open and interconnected through two floors with natural lighting and a section of glass flooring. Some interesting historical relics and technological elements of the former mill will be preserved in the building's interiors. We are currently preparing a program that resonates with this space," Řeháková stated.

The contract was won by a consortium of companies Metrostav and Chládek and Tintěra. The construction part will cost 338.5 million crowns. Construction work will be completed by mid-2022, after which the gallery will have time until Christmas to move in.

"We will start by dismantling the annexes from later years. Then we will set up scaffolding, inspect the façade, and determine how to proceed with its repair. There are additions here that will be removed. We will clear the spaces in the interior and start building from the basement. We will preserve the character of the building," said Martin Kvirenc from Chládek and Tintěra.

The mills were built on commission for the Winternitz brothers from 1909 to 1911. After a fire in 1919, the buildings were repaired and received new extensions, with additional ones added in the second half of the 20th century. In modern history, the complex was owned by GoodMills, which ceased production in 2013.

The company offered the complex for sale and negotiated with the city of Pardubice, but it ultimately decided not to purchase the properties. In 2016, the mills were bought for 22 million crowns by the Smetana couple, who sold part to Pardubice and part to the Pardubice Region. The municipalities spent a total of 36.5 million crowns on the buildings.

The Smetana couple initially preferred a long-term lease, but the region ultimately negotiated a sale. The region expects to receive a European subsidy of 110 million crowns for the project, which can increase to 218 million crowns. From state sources, it should receive 12.8 million crowns.