The place after the Baťa house in Mariánské Lázně will be filled by the Bergmann Palace

Marian Spa - The functionalist Baťa house on the Main Street in Marian Spa is set to be replaced by a new multifunctional building. The formerly heritage-protected house was demolished last November. The Baťa shoe store should find its place again in the Bergmann Palace, but spaces for healthcare facilities, apartments, or offices should also be created there. This was stated by Prague architect Karolína Bergmanová, who is working on the design for the new building.

“The project builds on the previous functionalist building designed by Mr. Architect (Vladimír) Karfík, who designed the Baťa Palace for a very enlightened investor. The rhythm of the building in horizontals and the façade division respects the surrounding historic development,” Bergmanová stated.

Nevertheless, the building should have a partially modern look. “It will be supported by modern and ecological technologies in the building and modern interior design in collaboration with excellent Czech designers,” she added.

The construction is expected to begin next year, with the opening planned for 2018.

The Baťa store building from 1932 was closed in June 2014 based on a structural assessment, and the Ministry of Culture subsequently removed its heritage protection. The functionalist monument reportedly began to threaten lives after the strength of the concrete in the load-bearing parts had decreased too much. The building authority then decided on the demolition at the owner's request.

The city, then led by the current deputy mayor Vojtěch Franta (Pirates), appealed against the decision, but the regional office confirmed the demolition, and the house was brought down last November. According to Franta, the project of the Bergmann Palace is a satisfactory solution for the empty space that was created by the Baťa house on the Main Street.