Zlín Region will repair parts of the Baťa skyscraper

Zlín - The Zlín Region will repair parts of its headquarters, the 21st building in the complex of former Baťa factories, known as the Baťa skyscraper. The restoration of the circular elevator, known as the paternoster, is also planned. The reconstruction is expected to cost 70 million crowns, said the governor's deputy Jiří Sukop (ANO) to journalists today.

The plan includes the modernization of elevators, restoration of the building's entrance, reconstruction of the electrical distribution room, and renewal of the floors on the third floor. "There is also consideration of building an exhibition on the 16th floor," Sukop said. According to him, the paternoster is in poor condition and is currently not functioning.

"The paternoster and elevators are in a miserable state, which is why we have been looking for ways to secure them. We greatly welcomed the information from the city of Zlín that we can use European money allocated for regional development for the adjustments of the 'Twenty-one'," Sukop stated. The city will not use the grant for the restoration of the Tomáš Baťa Memorial, which could have been the only one to obtain it along with the skyscraper. The funds must be utilized by the end of next year. "The deadline is indeed tight, but we must do everything to make use of the funds. That is why we immediately started on project preparation and cost estimation," said Sukop.

The study for the restoration of the paternoster has been discussed with heritage conservationists. "It will involve the refurbishment of cabins and portals worth 20 million crowns," said the region's spokesperson Renata Janečková. The reconstruction of the distribution room is expected to cost about three million crowns, floor restoration slightly under two million crowns, and elevator modernization around 20 million crowns. Adjusting the entrance to the building will require about 4.5 million crowns. "At the same time, the possibility of building an exhibition with the working title 'Panoramas from 21' is still being assessed on the 16th floor. The result would be the opening of the currently closed space on the roof of the building, wire mesh would replace the glass fillings, and the terrace would be partially covered. This would open up the opportunity for hosting events, exhibitions, and similar activities," the spokesperson stated.

The building was constructed during the interwar period by Jan Antonín Baťa as the administrative center of his company. The 78-meter high skyscraper was the second tallest building in Europe upon its completion in 1938 and is considered one of the pinnacle works of interwar architecture in Czechoslovakia. The project was developed by architect Vladimír Karfík. In 2004, a year-long total reconstruction costing 630 million crowns was concluded. The regional and financial office then moved into the building. The building also attracts tourists, especially the elevator management office, the view from the top floor, and the exhibition on Baťa's past.