Zlín has launched a collection for the restoration of the Tomáš Baťa Memorial

Zlín - The city of Zlín has announced a public collection intended for the restoration of the Tomáš Baťa Memorial, informed CTK Mayor Miroslav Adámek. The building, designed by architect František L. Gahura in 1933, is one of the most valuable in the regional city. In the 1950s it was reconstructed and served the Zlín Philharmonic and the regional gallery of fine arts under the name House of Art. However, the conditions in it have been inadequate in recent years. The Philharmonic has already moved to the Congress Center, and the gallery to the Baťa Institute. The empty building now needs repairs.
    The city estimates that restoring the memorial to its original form will cost 70 million crowns. "This is an amount that significantly exceeds the city's capabilities," noted Adámek. Additions have been made to the original structure, which need to be removed, and the interior has also changed. After the renovations, the building should again serve its original purpose, that is, to be the Tomáš Baťa Memorial.
    "The Tomáš Baťa Memorial is the most impressive architectural work of F. L. Gahura. It is also considered the most valuable building in our city, it has the same significance for Zlín as, for example, the Tugendhat villa has for Brno,” pointed out the mayor.
    The final form of the renovated memorial is still being sought. The city is trying to secure state and European funds. The city hall also plans to sell items featuring the memorial’s motifs.