The investor does not plan to demolish the Pardubice brewery; the project accounts for it

Pardubice - The investor does not plan to demolish the former Pardubice brewery; their development plans include constructing on the site. However, the historic building is not in good condition, and its use is disputed, said Vladan Kubovec, portfolio manager of the Conseq real estate fund, to ČTK. Pardubice has declared a construction ban on part of the brewery area and wants it to be preserved. Production at the brewery ended in 2023. Since 2024, the buildings and land have belonged to Conseq Funds. The investor plans to build residential buildings, shops, or a hotel there.

"We are still working with multiple versions because the city does not communicate consistently, and it is still unclear what will be permitted in our area. However, from the beginning, most options involve preserving the old brewery building in its current spirit and size. However, the building is in very poor technical condition and does not allow for any other or broader use than the existing one," Kubovec said.

The city was alarmed by the fact that the investor requested a demolition permit. Therefore, it imposed a construction ban on part of the area and buildings from the 19th century. It will also request the Ministry of Culture to list it among cultural monuments. "The investor has now requested a demolition permit from the building authority. I am not saying they necessarily want to demolish it, but they might want to have that document in hand because if they obtain it according to the current zoning plan, the new zoning plan won't revoke it. I don't like that someone is trying to hasten this process," said Mayor Jan Nadrchal (ANO) on Tuesday.

According to Kubovec, the investor is in uncertainty because they are paying according to the old zoning plan while the city is preparing a new one, which it wants to approve in June. Its preparation has taken 16 years. The construction ban or potential heritage protection does not pose a complication for the property owner. "For us, however, the biggest problem is that we do not know any firm deadlines and cannot plan relevantly, like a good steward. Many meetings have been held at various levels, but so far without any results or a tangible schedule to rely on. For us, the speed of the city’s decision-making is more important than this step," Kubovec said.

In the 19th century, the Pardubice brewery transformed into an industrial enterprise. In 1871, a joint-stock company was established, and production quickly expanded to the area on today’s Palackého street. There was a brewing house, malt house, and cellars. The area consisted of brick buildings. According to the city, it is the last evidence of industrial architecture from that time in the area.