The Philharmonic project on Vltavská will cost Prague more than a billion crowns

Prague – The development of the planned concert hall project at the Vltavská metro station will cost Prague 1.02 billion crowns without VAT. The city council confirmed today the awarding of the contract to the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group, which succeeded in an international architectural competition. The construction itself is estimated to cost 9.4 billion crowns according to the June estimate, compared to the original estimate of 4.9 billion crowns last year. The building is slated to be completed in 2032.

City officials previously spoke about the project documentation preparation costing 780 million crowns. The city evaluated the international competition in May, with 115 teams entering, 15 advancing to the finals, and five others being invited by the city to develop proposals.

The new building is expected to house the Czech Philharmonic, the Symphony Orchestra of the Capital City of Prague FOK, and the music department of the Municipal Library in Prague. The concert hall is intended to become a cultural center, offering cafes, restaurants, a city park, and access to the river.

According to earlier information, the city is seeking co-financing for the construction from the state and is also considering involving private investors. The city has expressed a desire to split the funding into thirds among the city, the state, and the private sector.

The Vltavská Philharmonic is expected to have three halls – a concert hall for 1,800 spectators, a smaller one for chamber music with a capacity of 500 seats, and a multifunctional hall for other genres and types of events with a capacity of up to 700 people. The construction of the new cultural center is part of the transformation of the Bubny-Zátory area, where the creation of a district for up to 25,000 people is planned.