After the archaeologists finish their work, construction will begin on the most expensive plot of land in Prague

Prague, February 14 (ČTK) - A hotel will soon be built in the last gap in the center of Prague's heritage reserve. However, extensive archaeological research will first take place on the plot at the corner of Národní Třída and Mikulandská Street, which will begin after the signing of an agreement between archaeologists and the investor. "I tentatively estimate the start of the rescue research to be in the spring months of this year, that is, from April to June, the research could last approximately seven months," stated Jaroslav Podliska, the head of Prague archaeologists from the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), to ČTK.
    In light of the findings from the preliminary research last autumn and the research from 2007, experts expect significant discoveries. Preparations are currently underway on the plot, and according to a representative of the construction company, the demolition of those parts of the buildings designated for demolition in the project is nearing completion.
    The plot was sold by the city in 2005 for what is presumably a record price of 234,700 crowns per square meter, totaling nearly 184 million crowns. The owner of the parcel also owns the neighboring baroque palace, which is under heritage protection, and plans to invest one billion crowns in construction according to the project designed by the studio Znamení čtyř.
    Architect Martin Tycar told ČTK that the investor will likely not change the shape of the project that the studio proposed in 2008. "The building permit was issued for this project; if there were to be any changes, we would have to address them," he stated.
    The company Dittrich, which purchased the plot from the city, has not found an investor for the construction. The baroque palace, along with the gap used as a parking lot, was mortgaged in favor of PPF Bank and was auctioned last year with a starting price of 227.5 million crowns. A new investor, Petr Němec, a former founder of the pharmaceutical company PharmaSwiss, recently entered the project. His representative, Mirek Deneš, informed ČTK that the investor is currently negotiating with several hotel chains that could operate the hotel upon its completion.
    The project has had building permission for several years now, including approval from Prague's heritage protectors. It was criticized by the Club for Old Prague. According to them, the façade facing Národní Třída is volumetrically oversized and not particularly inventive architecturally, and the construction would demand a "brutal intervention" in the structure of the Schönkirch Palace, which is adjacent to the gap.
    The appearance of the building has been debated at the National Heritage Institute since 2002. "The discussions were not conducted in a fundamentally confrontational manner. The aforementioned plot is a building site, and its legitimacy for construction has never been questioned by heritage protection," said Ondřej Šefců from NPÚ to ČTK. Heritage experts had more significant objections to the extent of demolitions in the back sections of the building on Mikulandská, and the investor reportedly respected part of the requests.
    According to NPÚ, a valuable historical object of medieval origin was damaged by modern interventions on the street façade, courtyard wing, and interiors. The reconstruction is expected to restore these changes to the baroque form of the house, and the project will also preserve the original urban concept, including the open courtyard space.