The Ministry did not decide about the houses in Pankrác, waiting for UNESCO

According to the investor's plans, the company ECM, two additional high-rise buildings are to be added to the three currently existing at Pankrác Plain. The residential building is said to have 31 floors, and the hotel ten less. Civic associations claim that the new development will not bring anything to the local people and will only increase the burden on the area from car traffic. In contrast, according to the investor's representatives, people will benefit from the project, which is expected to include the establishment of a cultural center and spaces for shops and services. The National Heritage Institute had previously pointed out that the buildings are to be located in close proximity to the historical center of the metropolis, which would impact Prague's skyline.
The Ministry of Culture has now decided, according to a press release from the Atelier for Environmental Life, the Pankrác Civic Initiative, the Pankrác Society, and the Center for Citizen Support - Arnika, to suspend the administrative procedure for permitting the two skyscrapers. The relevant UNESCO committee is to address the matter in accordance with the Convention for the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage. According to the civic associations, it has also requested an official report from the Czech Republic regarding how the protection of Prague's historical values is ensured.
Heritage conservationists at the city hall initially expressed a positive view on the construction of the buildings at Pankrác. The Ministry of Culture revoked their decision last year. However, this does not mean that they opposed the construction of high-rise buildings. The city’s heritage department issued a new approval in January. The association appealed this to the ministry.
The National Heritage Institute has reassessed its previous positive positions and, in its latest statement, pointed out the fact that the intention to construct additional high-rise buildings touches upon values that were the reason for the inclusion of the heritage reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is concerned that approval of the current intention would open the way for further high-rise development of the plain.
ECM has already renovated the former Motokov building at Pankrác as part of a large project called City, now known as City Empiria. It is currently reconstructing the unfinished building of the former Czechoslovak Radio, which is called City Tower. A new building is the administrative City Point, which was created according to the design of American architect Richard Meier. The complex also includes the City conference center.