The listed building of the main train station in Plzeň is in the middle of a complete reconstruction

Plzeň – The heritage-protected building of the main train station in Plzeň is halfway through a complete reconstruction, in which the Railway Administration (SŽ) is investing 670 million CZK. The renovation of the 115-year-old building from the foundation to the roof, which began last May, will be completed by the end of 2023. It is currently receiving a new roof and facade. The installation of the roofing on the small domes is continuing, work is being done on the damaged rafters of the main dome and the upper turret, said SŽ spokesperson Radka Pistoriusová to ČTK today.

"Further work includes bricking up loose masonry found after scraping plaster, flooring in the basement, installation of refurbished windows, restoration work in the lower hall, chemical cleaning of facades, and their repairs," she added. The elevators from Železniční street have been in operation for two months.

According to SŽ General Director Jiří Svoboda, the reconstruction of the extensive building follows the modernization of the tracks and platforms and other parts of the station, which have been ongoing since 2011. "A functional modern station is a huge opportunity for the development of the entire city," said Svoboda. According to Pistoriusová, the dispatch building has never been so comprehensively renovated. Last year, the reconstruction focused on the facilities of the lower hall and the central staircase, where two escalators will be newly installed. This year, the focus is on repairing the truss, a new roof, facades, floors with replicas of historical tiles, plaster, and lighting.

The main station, in the Renaissance and Art Nouveau style, is one of the architectural landmarks of central Plzeň. Unlike most dispatch buildings in the Czech Republic, it stands in the middle of the tracks. The building serves approximately 19,000 passengers daily and has been a heritage site since 2000.

According to Nikola Lörinczová from the A8000 studio, which designed the interiors, the most significant change will be in the upper hall, which will gain the character of a shopping arcade. The key idea of the renovation is to connect the station with the city. "The most noticeable change will be the regular movement of passengers. They will now be able to use a clear central area for ticket offices, shop in the arcade, and go for lunch before departure at the station restaurant, which will revive the unused space behind the station," she said. The upper hall will become brighter. The station, according to Lörinczová, will change its colors and regain its lost nobility.

Passengers will be able to buy tickets from all carriers in one place, and significant adjustments will also be made to the information center. The entire space will be monitored by security cameras. According to SŽ regional chief Radek Makovec, there will be shops and services such as hairdressers in the lower hall and in front of it, as well as a municipal police presence.