The reconstruction of the former Opatov Hotel in Prague will become more expensive and will take longer

Prague - The reconstruction of the former Hotel Opatov in South City, which the Prague City Hall started in 2022, will be delayed and become more expensive. The total costs for the building, which is to be transformed into a residential building, will increase by approximately 66.3 million crowns to about 967.6 million crowns. The completion date has been postponed by about four months, now to April. Prague councilors today approved the continuation of the reconstruction and an increase in the project's budget.

The reconstruction is set to transform the former hotel into a residential building primarily intended for social and affordable housing. Originally, before subsequent project delays, the work was supposed to be completed by the summer of last year.

The price increase is, according to the approved material, mainly due to additional construction work and modifications to the project required by the technical condition of the building, as well as the necessity to supplement some structural and technological solutions. The changes concern, for example, interior construction modifications, the building's technical equipment, and the addition of safety features.

The opposition criticizes the progress of the reconstruction. "Instead of good news, we are dealing with further delays and increased costs. The work began back in May 2022, and it was supposed to be finished last summer," said the head of Prague's ANO, Ondřej Prokop. "Prague cannot afford such a slow pace in the midst of a housing crisis," he added.

According to earlier statements from city officials, after the completion of the work in the building, about 650 Praguers will find housing in 272 apartments, of which 68 will be 1+kk, 152 will be 2+kk, 35 apartments will have three rooms, and 17 will have four rooms. In addition, public services for those in need are also planned there. According to earlier statements from the city, rehabilitation facilities, a day center, general practitioner and specialist offices, facilities for home care services, and spaces for shops are to be established in the building.

The residential building Sandra serves similar purposes as Hotel Opatov. The former lodging house in South City now has 174 apartments and has been primarily serving young families, seniors, teachers, firefighters, city police officers, and healthcare professionals since August of the year before last.