Developer urged Prague 6 to demolish the dilapidated villas in Letná

Letna Office Park, Marani Architects, 2015

Prague - British developer Lordship has called on Prague 6 in an open letter to demolish the dilapidated historic villas in Letná. The villas, unoccupied for thirty years, are in a state of emergency, said the company's director, Václav Matoušek, in a press release today. The city hall's response is being sought by ČTK. The investor wants to build five office buildings on the site.

The condition of the historic buildings, which are bordered by a railway track on one side and the busy Milady Horákové street on the other, has been a topic of concern for several years. The investor has presented several proposals for new construction, including a single large building. Last year, they introduced a project comprising a set of five buildings designed by different architects. However, the city hall has not been satisfied with any of the options so far. "Prague 6 says on one hand that they will not allow us to demolish until a new project is approved, but on the other hand, they actively boycott all proposals," claims Matoušek. "Instead of being able to carry out demolition work, we are forced to spend tens of thousands of crowns on boarding up windows and doors, securing fences, and evicting unwanted visitors," he added. He called on the city hall to seek a joint solution.

Lordship submitted a request for the demolition of the buildings in November 2013. The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) opposed, deeming the demolition unacceptable. In the past, two valuable villas have already disappeared from Letná in connection with the construction of the Blanka tunnel complex.

Lordship wants to build offices, with shops, restaurants, and a relaxing zone at street level. Residential construction is not possible due to the exit from the Blanka tunnel. The height of the buildings should not exceed 28 meters.