Hradec Králové demolished the dilapidated tannery building from the 19th century, keeping the bricks

Hradec Králové - The city of Hradec Králové demolished a dilapidated building of a former tannery from the 19th century in the Kukleny district in recent weeks. Workers took apart the brick building manually. From the original extensive factory complex, only the chimney will remain as a reminder. The spokesperson for the city hall, Petr Vinklář, said this today to ČTK. The bricks preserved from the demolition were kept by the city for possible future use in construction or repairs of buildings. Buildings made of exposed brickwork are typical for Hradec Králové.

The city hall decided to demolish the last remaining building in the tannery complex in 2021. The city is expected to pay 1.5 million crowns excluding VAT for the demolition. Already in 2014, the city removed the tower with the clock from the factory hall and stored it at the airport for future use.

Workers began the demolition at the beginning of February, dismantled the roof and trusses by mid-February, and then started disassembling the walls while cleaning and palletizing usable bricks. "Currently, pallets with bricks are being transported to the storage hall. This will be followed by the removal of rubble, remaining demolition, and earthworks. Everything should be completed by May 19," said the spokesperson.

The city intends to utilize the area of the former tannery. "We have a study that includes several proposals for the solutions for this area. A new Kuklenské Square could be created here. A new building could then be part of it, which will incorporate historical elements of the old tannery and will serve the locals for social and cultural purposes," previously stated the city's chief architect, Petr Brůna.

In the past, the city thought about building a social housing facility for seniors on the site of the dilapidated tannery. About 17 years ago, a development company called Eube wanted to purchase the tannery from the city and then convert it into a commercial center and luxury loft apartments. However, Eube went bankrupt in 2010, and the project was abandoned.

In contrast to the tannery, the city hall intends to preserve the area of the former First Republic slaughterhouse on Kydlinovská Street in the northwestern part of the city. The coalition that emerged from last year's elections included the development of this location and its transformation in their program declaration as one of the important issues in the field of development and investments. A petition was also signed by some residents of the city calling for the preservation of the slaughterhouse and its use for cultural purposes.