The Industrial Palace in Prague will receive a new roof, windows, and floors this year

Prague - The burnt wing of the Industrial Palace, which has been undergoing repairs since 2022, will receive a new roof and windows this year. In the second wing, the renovation of the steel structure will continue, and a rough floor will be constructed. A significant portion of the work will be focused on the basement, involving the installation of air conditioning and other technologies. This was communicated to journalists today by Linda Antony, spokesperson for the municipal company Výstaviště Praha (VP). The company manages the exhibition grounds in Prague 7, but the reconstruction of the palace is directly funded by the municipality. This year, about one billion crowns has been allocated from the budget for it, and the total costs are expected to exceed three billion. It is scheduled to be completed in June 2026.

This year, not only the burnt left wing but also the central hall will receive a new roof. Renovated stained glass windows will return to the windows. They measure a total of 2,256 meters, and their repair is the responsibility of a glassworks from Nový Bor. Work on the restoration of the stained glass began last autumn.

"In the right wing, the renovation of the steel structure and reconstruction of the Smetana installation will continue, and a rough floor will also be built here," the spokesperson stated. The new floor will be completed in the central hall.

A significant portion of the work will involve technologies in the basement. Builders will be installing air conditioning units, pumps for fire suppression systems, heat pumps, cooling units, and electrical switchboards there. Work on the façade of the palace will also continue.

Meanwhile, the sales department of VP is securing the program for 2027. The first event to take place in the Industrial Palace is expected to be the Book World fair. VP's commercial director, Marie Štéglová, stated that she firmly believes that other events, which had to be moved elsewhere due to the renovation, will also return to the palace. She is also planning to promote the palace at fairs in Frankfurt, Barcelona, and is considering a fair in the USA. "In addition, we are focusing on business in the area of smaller events and activities, such as presenting to buyers in London or Milan," added Štéglová.

Part of the Industrial Palace burned down on October 16, 2008. The repairs began in February 2022 and were originally expected to be completed this year. After uncovering the foundations, floors, and ceilings of the right wing, it became clear that the actual technical condition required more extensive repairs than had been anticipated before the project began.

The palace was built for the Jubilee Land Exhibition in 1891 according to the design of architect Bedřich Munzberger. From the beginning, it served for exhibitions and other cultural events, even though it was originally intended to be a temporary structure. From 1952 to 1954, the communist government decided to change its function, and the main hall of the palace was converted into a social and dance hall. Its name was also changed to the Congress Palace, which was part of the then Park of Culture and Relaxation Julius Fučík.