The decision about the shape of the new theater in Plzeň will be made before Christmas

Deputy Mayor Marcela Krejsová (ODS) described one of the proposals as funny, creative, logical, and financially saving for operations.

Plzeň - The final design of the new building of the Plzeň theater, which will become a modern landmark of the city, will be known a week before Christmas. It is already clear that either a studio from Brno or architects from Portugal will succeed. No one else is participating in the competition. The city hall received criticism for not announcing a classic competition. The winning proposal, which will be selected by an expert jury, must be approved by the city, said Deputy Mayor Marcela Krejsová to ČTK.
    "Today we reviewed the presentation of both studios. Both will refine their proposals, and we will definitely choose one of them. They are surprising," she stated. One of the proposals was even described as funny, creative, logical, and financially saving for operations. "As for which is better, that has not been discussed yet," she added.
    The price will supposedly be addressed in the next phase. The building without technologies should cost about 300 million CZK, totaling around 500 to 600 million CZK. Several architects, heritage conservationists, the director of the J.K. Tyl Theater, representatives of the Concept and Development Department of the City of Plzeň, the investment department, and others make up the jury that will decide on December 18. According to Krejsová, members were sent from ODS, as well as from the Right Choice for Plzeň and the Communists.
    The head of the heritage protection department of the Plzeň magistrate, Petr Marovič, told ČTK that the heritage conservationists evaluate the relationship of the new building to the historical core. Both proposals consider a certain height of the buildings for technical facilities. "One is eight meters lower, which I would present more, as it has a smaller impact on the panorama of the historical core," he said. No names of the studios were disclosed.
    For the construction of the theater, which is to have a main hall with a capacity of 500 spectators and a variable stage for an additional 200 people, the city did not announce an open competition. Allegedly so it would not delay the realization. The city hall thus contacted five architectural firms. However, three of them resigned.
    The theater building will be located at the exhibition grounds on the space between Palackého and Jízdecká streets. The total area designated for construction is nearly 8000 m².