Prague wants to exchange land with the Railway Administration for the construction of the Vltava Philharmonic

Prague – Prague wants to exchange land around the main train station with the Czech Railways (SŽ) for land in Holešovice that is needed for the construction of the Vltava Philharmonic. SŽ will also compensate the city for the difference in land prices, which has been set at 152 million crowns. The exchange was approved today by the city council. It must still be confirmed by the representatives.

Prague needs the land in Holešovice due to the construction of a new concert hall. On the other hand, the Czech Railways wants to acquire land in the cadastre of New Town and Vinohrady for the reconstruction of the check-in hall at the main station. According to the agreement, the difference in land prices is approximately 152 million crowns including value-added tax (VAT), which SŽ will pay to Prague. Conversely, the city will transfer 2.1 million crowns to the organization as compensation for the difference in the price of established easements.

The Vltava Philharmonic is expected to be built in Prague near the Vltavská metro station according to the design by the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), which won in an international competition in May 2022. At the end of August, Prague applied for permission for the project. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 with trial operations commencing in 2033.

The estimated costs for the building, including equipment, are 12.33 billion crowns excluding VAT, while the modifications to the surroundings are expected to cost another approximately five billion crowns excluding tax. The building, which will have three underground and six above-ground floors, will offer five concert halls and facilities for the Czech Philharmonic and the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK.

The repair of the ceiling of the check-in hall at Prague's main station began in mid-July. The hall, which dates back to the 1970s, has leaks from the parking lot and the highway. The reconstruction, carried out by the consortium of companies Subterra and Firesta-Fišer for 290.5 million crowns, is expected to last until 2028.

Further changes to the main station will come from the subsequent phase, which includes the revitalization of Vrchlického sady park, the construction of a new tram line from Museum to Bolzanova, and the reconstruction of the check-in hall. Information is available on the website.