Prague approved the contract for the extension and repair of the Industrial Palace

Prague - The capital city will announce a tender with an estimated value of two billion crowns for the reconstruction of the burned wing and the renovation of the Industrial Palace at the Exhibition Grounds. This was approved by the city council today. Construction could begin at the end of next year. The city has already announced one contract, but the current administration canceled it, as it deemed it outdated. The project includes the construction of a replica of the left wing, which burned down in 2008, and the development of new facilities or technical spaces.

While the project's costs are currently estimated at two billion crowns, the previously announced tender estimated the amount at 1.2 billion. According to the city's leadership, however, the former administration called for the contract before the project was completed, and thus without detailed knowledge of what the construction would entail. The original contract was canceled by the city council in mid-October this year.

After reconstruction, the palace is expected to serve the same purpose as before, namely for hosting exhibitions, fairs, conferences, and other events. According to the approved document, the central section should accommodate 1,250 people, the right wing 2,500, the completed left wing 3,300, and the foyer 400 people.

The project for the completion and reconstruction aims to preserve the original appearance of the building from 1891 when the palace was opened. In addition, it plans to complete additional facilities and technical modifications of the monument-protected building. A new feature will be a underpass below the left wing of the palace, which will allow access from the entrance or foyer to the Křižík Fountain. Originally, there were plans to build an underpass under the right wing as well, but due to objections from heritage protectors, that plan was scrapped, and the underground passage will only be under the newly completed wing. A new basement with facilities or restrooms will also be created beneath it. The interiors of the palace are expected to largely remain in their current form.

The Industrial Palace was built in 1891 for the Jubilee Provincial Exhibition, designed by architect Bedřich Munzberger. Since its inception, it has served to host exhibitions and other cultural events, although it was originally intended to be a temporary structure. Between 1952 and 1954, the communist regime decided to change its function, and the main hall of the palace was converted into a social and dance hall. Its name was also changed to the Congress Palace, which was part of the then Park of Culture and Leisure of Julius Fučík.