The Penty project at Masarykova station has obtained a zoning decision

Prague - The Penta Investments group has obtained a currently non-final land-use decision for the construction of the first part of a commercial and office complex near Prague's Masaryk station. This was pointed out by the Arnika association, which criticizes the construction, and it was confirmed to ČTK by Prague 1 spokesman Petr Bidlo. Penta intends to build an administrative district with shops and restaurants on the site based on the project by the late British architect Zaha Hadid. ČTK is seeking a statement from Penta.

The decision concerns two blocks by Na Florenci street. In a press release, the Arnika association stated that together with other associations, such as Automat or the Club for Old Prague, they aimed to achieve modifications to the buildings, which, according to the associations, are too high and do not respect the surrounding buildings. However, the Prague 1 Building Authority did not even inform about the proceedings on Arnika's official board and conducted it in secrecy.

The issuance of the decision was confirmed by the spokesperson for the city district, Bidlo. "The project has received a land-use decision, but not 'in complete secrecy', which is evidenced by the fact that the involved associations have appealed against the decision. So nothing is decided yet," he stated. Appeals against the decisions of Prague's building authorities are being handled by the municipality.

Václav Orcígr from Arnika told ČTK that his association did not appeal because the authority decided that, like other associations, it was not a participant in the proceedings. He added that they would still consider the procedure, but it is questionable whether it makes sense. Since the association is not a participant in the proceedings, its appeal would not have a suspensive effect, he explained.

According to Penta's plans, the buildings are to cover the currently unused area around Masaryk station and Havlíčkova and Na Florenci streets, and on the other side of the main road. The buildings could be up to nine stories high, with the most prominent one, according to the design by the British-Iranian architect Hadid, resembling train tracks, which will symbolically end with a transition into a structure resembling the Golden Tower. The investor also promises a square, parks, and other greenery, as well as better connectivity from Prague 1 to the Florence and Karlín areas. The project is said to include up to 100,000 square meters of office space, shops, restaurants, and cafés. The construction is expected to cost up to ten billion crowns.