Prague will have a study on the development of Štvanice Island prepared

Prague – The Prague City Hall is preparing a development study for Štvanice Island. It will be completed by 2022 and will cost the city approximately 35 million crowns. After yesterday's meeting of the council, Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček (for TOP 09) told reporters. The document will build on the architectural competition from 2013, and architect Radek Kovařík from the RKAW office will develop it for the city. The firm placed second in the competition, which was the highest position since no first prize was awarded. Štvanice is located at the border of Prague 7, 8, and 1.

"The island has long been waiting for its renewal and is very neglected. Its potential as a recreational area for the surrounding neighborhoods will also increase in connection with the construction of a footbridge between Holešovice and Karlín," said Hlaváček.

The architectural office will prepare a detailed conceptual study of the island, including its connections to the areas, and will also develop a project for the first phase of improvements. It will primarily create documentation for the zoning decision, building permit, and will ensure author supervision.

The city will assign the preparation of the study to the architects who placed second nearly seven years ago. According to Hlaváček, the city leadership debated whether to announce a new competition or to use the one from the past. In the end, they opted for the second option, as the quality of the proposals submitted at that time was decisive.

Before the mentioned study is finished, some partial changes independent of the study will take place on the island. The City Hall will continue to work on the construction of the footbridge from Karlín to Holešovice, which will pass over Štvanice. The repair of Hlávkův Bridge, Fuchs Café, and the restoration of greenery are also planned.

Štvanice Island got its name because beast hunts were held there in the 19th century. In the 1930s, an ice rink was built on the island, which was demolished in 2012 due to its poor condition. The stadium was historically protected, and its demolition was opposed by heritage preservationists and a large part of the public.