Ústí nad Orlicí has prepared a competition for the design of the future Gallery Perlou

Ústí nad Orlicí – Ústí nad Orlicí prepared an architectural competition for the reconstruction of parts of the former textile factory Perla 01 into a culturally creative center Galerie Perlou. It will focus on contemporary art as well as the history of textile production in the city. The generously developed concept considers the regional significance of the gallery and several employees, said Mayor Petr Hájek (Oušťáci association) to ČTK.

"We estimate the entire implementation over a horizon of perhaps five years; the city won't even get to it sooner. It's a certain preparation for the next electoral period from 2022 to 2026, and it's also a question of staffing because if you don't start designing, you won't start building, and if you don't start building, it's hard to attract management and staff," Hájek stated.

The creative center is to be created from the former boiler room, machine room with a switchboard, and part of the administrative building; the buildings are interconnected. In several floors of the complex, a large exhibition hall and several smaller ones, a depositary, as well as a café, a textiles cabinet, and spaces for education are to be created. The new gallery could feature, for example, a permanent exhibition of sculptures by local native Quido Kocian.

The total construction costs are estimated at 70 million crowns excluding VAT, which does not include external and internal equipment or the price of the project documentation. The city hall plans to use part of an already opened loan for construction and will also seek to obtain subsidies from a program for the revitalization of brownfields and other funding titles, which should significantly reduce investment costs. The deputies will decide on the announcement of the architectural competition.

The three-hectare area of the former textile factory Perla was purchased by Ústí nad Orlicí in 2011 for 30 million crowns. A large part of the buildings was demolished by the city. In September this year, following two years of construction and interior outfitting, Ústí officially opened a newly constructed house for children and youth in the area. The construction cost 85 million crowns excluding VAT, and the city obtained a subsidy of 30 million crowns from the Ministry of Regional Development for it. Pardubice Region plans to build new studios for the Secondary School of Applied Arts in Ústí nad Orlicí for approximately 100 million crowns. Ústí has also attracted other investors to the area. The company Vital is building a new rehabilitation center there. The administrative building that remained from the former textile factory was purchased by a company that wants to use the building for services, shops, and apartments.