The demolition of the house at the corner of Opletalova and Wenceslas Square has begun

Prague - On Saturday, the demolition of the building at the corner of Wenceslas Square and Opletalova Street began in the center of Prague. The company Flow East plans to construct a glass building in its place. A few days ago, the builders erected scaffolding at the corner building, and now a tarp covers the building. The tenants of the building have received eviction notices. Some members of the public and experts have opposed the demolition of the building.

"The demolition will be gradual and will be carried out for safety reasons behind the scaffolding and tarp. The roof and other parts of the building are being removed step by step," said Veronika Hanzlíková from Best Communications, which represents the developer, to ČTK today. The developer has not yet announced the duration of the demolition. More detailed information is expected to be released on Tuesday.

"We are pleased that after receiving the demolition order for the building at Wenceslas Square 47, we can start with the next phase of the construction of the Flower House," Hanzlíková stated on Saturday.

Some members of the public and experts have opposed the demolition of the building. The investor also plans to use the adjacent plot of the printing house, which was demolished a few years ago at the request of the owner after the removal of heritage protection. The owner claimed that it was in an emergency state. The new building is also intended to fill almost the entire courtyard behind the Jalta Hotel, which is also owned by Flow East. The structure is expected to have nine above-ground and three underground floors.

The company has owned the building since 1994. According to the company, the project costs reach billions of crowns. The ministry repeatedly states the fear of potential claims for compensation for foiled investments as one of the reasons why the building was not declared a cultural monument. Flow East owns nine properties in Prague 1, including six cultural monuments.

The planned construction site occupies a building remodeled in 1920. The building was originally designed by architect Josef Schulz, who was also an architect of the National Museum, and was completed in 1880. Its intricate and decorated façade was replaced in the 1920s with a simpler form known to this day.

The plan for the new building in the center of Prague has elicited conflicting opinions for years. Prague heritage officials granted consent for the building in 2010, which is necessary for any construction in the heritage reserve. A year later, it was confirmed in an appellate process by the Ministry of Culture. In 2013, the building authority approved the demolition, but the city council annulled this decision, and it had to be reassessed. A petition against the demolition was drawn up, and there were several demonstrations against the building's demolition.