Opava will start the demolition of Slezanka in the autumn, replacing it with apartment buildings and a cultural hall

Opava – The long-delayed demolition of part of the panel shopping center Slezanka in the historical center of Opava is expected to start this autumn. It was originally set to begin in the summer of 2022. The demolition was complicated by the demands of heritage protectors to preserve the neighboring Theatre Club. This was stated by the spokesperson for the Opava city hall, Roman Konečný. Instead of the dilapidated and unused building, residential houses with historicizing facades are to be built. The project also includes an underground parking lot and a cultural hall.

Opava bought a large part of the building in 2008 for 270 million crowns. Since then, it has been trying to buy out the shares of other owners. The representatives approved the demolition of the acquired part in 2021. Demolition was supposed to start a year later, but the work had to be stopped. "Heritage protectors declared the neighboring Theatre Club a monument and demanded its preservation," Konečný stated. The original plans were to preserve only part of the club's building and incorporate it into the project.

However, the heritage protectors are demanding the preservation of the entire building, which, like Slezanka, has been closed for several years due to its poor condition. "The preparation for the demolition had to be halted. We had to prepare a project for the static support of the club. That is already completed. The first stage of the demolition should start in November," explained Konečný, adding that this stage relates to the above-ground part of the Slezanka building in the section from the church to the current entrance of the building. An archaeological survey is also being prepared for the entire area.

On the site of the demolished building, the city plans to restore the historic front of Upper Square, consisting of at least six residential buildings that will connect to the historical development of the center of Opava. Private investors will build the residential buildings. Additional residential buildings with commercial spaces will be created on the territory behind Slezanka and will form a partially restored historical street network.

"Part of the area is also reserved for a multifunctional cultural hall, which will fill a long-term shortage of spaces for social events, such as city council meetings, balls, or concerts," Konečný said. The project also includes an underground parking lot with parking spaces for 170 cars.

The Slezanka shopping center is a panel building built on the site where brewing houses stood in the 17th century. The block, which has a housing estate appearance, connects to the historic development of the center and is adjacent to the Gothic church. The building has been a long-term issue for the city hall. The previous city administration bought the property in the central Upper Square in 2008 from a private owner. At that time, representatives of the city hall expressed willingness to invest in the repair of the building or its demolition and the construction of a new shopping center.

The shopping center was then nearly empty for a long time, and it was not until 2012 that a tenant was found to operate it. However, it was difficult to rent out the spaces in the long term. Ultimately, the city agreed to sell it to a development firm. A new shopping center was to be built here. The previous city administration signed a contract for its construction with the developer in 2015. However, preparations dragged on, and ultimately, opinions that the shopping center should not be built prevailed.

The change was also influenced by the construction of the nearby shopping center Breda & Weinstein. Spanning over 25,000 m², it offers space for more than 100 stores, a multiplex cinema with six halls, restaurants, and a café. After negotiations, the developer withdrew from the project. Since then, the city hall has been dealing with what to do next with Slezanka.