Praha announced a tender for the repair of Šlechtova restaurant

Prague - The capital city has announced a tender for the repair of the dilapidated Šlechtova restaurant. According to the announcement published on the city hall's notice board, the renovation is expected to cost up to 210 million crowns excluding VAT. The city anticipates that construction will begin this November. Interested parties can submit their bids by August 2. The main criteria for selecting the best offer are the price and the deadline for completing the project.
    The Šlechtova restaurant building, formerly known as the Royal Hall, is a cultural monument. It is named after its last owner, Václav Šlecht. Its oldest part dates back to the end of the 17th century, but the building was completed in the mid-19th century. In 1978 and two years later, the building was affected by fires, and it has been deteriorating ever since. It was also damaged by floods in 2002.
    Prague had planned the renovation several years ago, but it was postponed, among other reasons, due to the construction of the Blanka tunnel under Stromovka. Therefore, the building was also provisionally secured with supports. Frescoes were removed and stone balustrades were dismantled.
    The four-story building will be repaired without significant interventions into the spatial arrangement to preserve the monument's character and authenticity. The contract will also include the reconstruction of the adjacent retaining wall and the cellars behind this wall. Frescoes and stucco decorations in the baroque hall will be restored, as well as the balustrades and the garden gazebo. An elevator will be installed.
    The restaurant that existed here before the fire is expected to return to the building. The project also includes a café, an outdoor restaurant, an information center, and a rental space for sports equipment. One of the rooms is to be used for exhibitions or chamber concerts. According to previous estimates, the reconstruction should be completed by September 2012. The facility, which is owned by the seventh city district, will be operated by the capital city for ten years after the renovation. The city will also finance the investment.