Vlastník Máje musí zachovat fasádu do Národní, říká památkář

Prague - If the owner of the Prague department store Máj wants to successfully negotiate the reconstruction project, it is essential that the proposal respects the heritage values that led to the designation of this building as an immovable cultural monument. Ondřej Šefců, the director of the Prague office of the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ), stated this to ČTK. A significant part of these values includes the atypical facades, particularly the northern facade facing Národní třída. Until now, the presentations for heritage conservationists have shown the Národní facade as completely glazed, stripped of all period elements. However, the owner of the building claims that the reconstruction proposal is outdated and promises to present a new one before the summer.

The owner of the department store became the development company Amádeus Real in February. It immediately stated that it plans to renovate the building. According to its owner, Máj urgently needs the replacement of outdated technologies.

The owner also mentioned that he is collaborating with heritage conservationists and two of the three authors of the original design of the building, architects Martin Rajniš and Johnny Eisler, on the planned drafts for the building modifications. The third author is Miroslav Masák. Architect Rajniš did not want to elaborate on his work in preparing the reconstruction when approached by ČTK. "In accordance with our contract with the investor, we can provide information only with their consent," he stated.

The owner has not yet applied for a building permit. A few days ago, visualizations emerged in the media that fundamentally change the facade of the building, on which the heritage protection of the structure relies, as well as the mass of the building. "The intention to reconstruct Máj has been presented several times at expert committees of the city hall. We have always clearly stated on behalf of the NPÚ that we do not question the need to rebuild and modernize this department store, but that it is necessary to preserve the values for which the building was registered as a cultural monument," Šefců said.

"We also respect the opinion of architect Rajniš in many ways, but I am convinced that even the architect must respect the values for which the building was listed as a monument. If this action were not taken, this building might no longer exist. If I remember correctly, the authors of the original design supported the registration of the building," he added.

He believes that if it were true that the author of architecture, which is a monument, does not have to respect the values explicitly stated in the declaration, it would signify a very fundamental finding that would probably lead to a change in the approach to the protection of modern architecture, where it must be accounted for that the authors of the original design may be involved in the reconstruction of the building.

Karel Samec, the media representative of Amádeus Real, informed ČTK that the mentioned proposal was among the several original working versions and is already outdated. "We want to present the basic visualizations with the proposed appearance of Máj after its reconstruction by the beginning of this year's summer vacation," he stated.

"Every monument has some defined essence. And when that essence is removed, the purpose of heritage protection would cease to exist," Šefců said. He added that the main facade of Máj facing Národní třída is one of the main attributes of the monument's value of the building.

In the Czech context, it is probably one of the few cases where the author attempted to assert their authorship rights in the reconstruction of the Thermal hotel in Karlovy Vary. Architect Věra Machoninová herself advocated for the building to become a monument, but it was ultimately not declared as such.