The competition in Miloš Forman Square attracted 197 studios, only six advanced

Prague – The jury of the architectural-urban design competition for the layout of Miloš Forman Square next to the Fairmont Golden Prague Hotel (formerly Intercontinental) selected six firms from 197 applicants to prepare competition proposals. The result of the competition for the area adjacent to the hotel will be announced in January next year. The intention to build a commercial new construction in the square in the past drew criticism from local residents.

The hotel and its surroundings were purchased in 2019 by entrepreneurs Oldřich Šlemr, Eduard Kučera, and Pavel Baudiš through the family office R2G. They subsequently began the renovation of the hotel, which opened under a new name in mid-April this year. The owners' plans also included adjustments to its surroundings, including the square, which has been named after the director Miloš Forman since 2018.

Part of the plan was also to build a new structure in the square for commercial purposes, but this eventually fell through after protests from locals and intervention from the Ministry for Regional Development due to inconsistency with the zoning plan. Most of the other adjustments are already finished. The owners subsequently applied for a modification of the zoning plan, which is now at the magistrate in the stage of an approved proposal. At the same time, in agreement with the magistrate, they announced a competition this May, which, according to the owners, attracted nearly two hundred firms from 42 countries around the world.

From these, the jury has now selected six to create competition proposals. "Part of the land is proposed as economically viable with rental spaces. These will be areas that can serve various purposes in the future. After all, a gallery of contemporary art focused on Czech authors has already been placed in the newly built pavilion behind the hotel. We want to approach the new spaces sensitively," said hotel co-owner Pavel Baudiš.

The Piazzetta has an area of about 3200 m², and according to the competition brief, at least 3000 meters must remain accessible to the public, with at least 600 meters of that comprising greenery. Rental areas should make up no more than 1200 meters. The proposals must also consider the investment costs for the adjustment of the entire space, estimated at 150 million Czech crowns.