The reconstruction of the former Vinohradská Waterworks into an educational center is halfway through

Prague - The renovation of the former Vinohradská waterworks area into an interactive educational center Hydropolis is approximately halfway complete. Builders have nearly finished the rough construction and are working on the facade of the historic tower. In the near future, they will begin installing network distributions and then adjust the interiors. The installation of the exhibition is expected to start at the end of this year, with the opening planned for autumn 2027. This was stated to journalists during a site inspection by Deputy Mayor Michal Hroza (TOP 09) and Chief Architect Vít Máslo from CMC Architects. The reconstruction began in December 2024.

"We are thus halfway through the reconstruction. Today we have the rough structure; surface work will begin, along with interior work such as flooring and plastering, and the exhibition area," Máslo stated. Construction work is estimated to take another five to eight months. Máslo mentioned that the most complicated aspect of the construction is that it involves the renovation of a cultural heritage site. "All work is done in agreement with the heritage institute. Everything is carried out using samples; you can see various shades of colors being tested everywhere on the walls. Everything must pass supervision," noted Máslo.

The reception area, culinary facilities, and the floor with the conference hall have already been built. The builders have excavated soil from the roof of the underground exhibition water reservoir and insulated it. Circular passages through the reservoir are completed, and work is ongoing on the connecting tube between the operational building and the reservoir.

The construction company cannot afford significant delays, as the exhibition will feature live plants. "It could happen that if the installation is delayed by a few months, those flowers might wither, and a whole growing season could be wasted. And no one wants that," said Jana Lavrenčíková Myšková from the general management of Prague Waterworks and Sewage (PVK).

In addition to the historic waterworks building and its tower, two underground reservoirs are also being renovated. One will become part of the exhibition, while the other will be connected to the water supply network. "Through the Hydropolis project, we will succeed in saving the unique historical landmark of the Vinohradská waterworks, while also gaining a fantastic exhibition about water that will tell us everything that happens before you open the tap at home. It will not be a museum. We will guide you in an entertaining and interactive way," Hroza stated.

In the reservoir, visitors will learn interesting facts about sources of drinking water, see a semi-operational water treatment unit, and view a model of the distribution network in Prague. Each floor of the tower will be dedicated to a specific theme. For example, where water on Earth comes from. "On the third floor, we will have talking appliances that will whisper to you how to behave gently towards water, and the fourth floor will be a relaxation area. We will try to ensure that you experience water with all your senses," said Lavrenčíková Myšková.

The interactive center Hydropolis will focus primarily on children, aiming to inform them in a fun way about everything related to drinking water. In addition to the exhibitions in the tower and the reservoir, a café will be created in the center with an entrance from U Vodárny street, and next to it, there will be a lecture hall. There will be an observation deck on the roof of the tower.

The costs for building the center are estimated at approximately 450 million crowns, with financing shared between the Prague Water Management Company (PVS) and the firm Veolia through PVK. A similar center is planned by PVS at the historic and now unused wastewater treatment plant in Bubeneč.