Prague will announce a contract for the completion and repair of the Industrial Palace

Prague - The Prague City Hall will announce a public tender for the reconstruction of the burned-out wing and renovation of the Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds. The city council made this decision today. According to the mayor's deputy Pavla Vyhnánek (Prague Ours), the estimated value of the contract is two billion crowns excluding VAT, and construction could begin at the end of next year. The city has already announced one tender, but the current city hall leadership canceled it, stating that it was outdated. The project includes the construction of a replica of the left wing, which burned down in 2008, and the creation of new facilities or technical spaces.

According to Vyhnánek, the city hall should announce the tender in the first quarter of next year. "Unless something unexpected or extraordinary happens, we should know the supplier next year and by the end of the year we should be able to start construction," said the deputy. He added that the estimated duration of the work is 30 months, but it will depend on whether the builders encounter unexpected problems.

While the current project costs are estimated at two billion crowns, the previously announced tender included a budget of 1.2 billion. However, according to city officials, the former city hall leadership announced the tender before the project was completed and without detailed knowledge of what the construction would entail. The original contract was canceled by the council in mid-October this year.

The project for the completion and renovation aims to preserve the original appearance of the building from 1891 when the palace was opened. In addition, it includes the expansion of additional facilities and technical modifications to the heritage-protected building. A novelty will be an underpass beneath the left wing of the palace, allowing access from the entrance or foyer to the Křižík Fountain. Originally, there were plans to build an underpass beneath the right wing as well, but due to objections from heritage protectors, this was abandoned, and the underground passage will only be under the newly built wing. A new basement will also be created beneath it, with spaces for facilities and restrooms. The interiors of the palace should largely remain in their existing state.

The Industrial Palace was built for the Jubilee Land Exhibition according to the design of architect Bedřich Munzberger. From the beginning, it served for exhibitions and other cultural events, even though it was originally meant to be a temporary structure. Between 1952 and 1954, the communist regime decided to change its function, and the main hall of the palace was converted into a social and dance hall. Its name was also changed to the Congress Palace, which was part of the former Julia Fučík Park of Culture and Relaxation.