Domažlice plans future use of former Královec cord factory

The town of Domažlice is working on a plan to revitalize the former Královec cord factory, a neglected industrial site near the city center. A study assessing its condition and potential redevelopment is expected to be completed this year, with project work set to begin in 2025, according to Mayor Stanislav Antoš (KDU-ČSL).

The city purchased the site last November for CZK 11.5 million, securing a large plot of land in a prime location. However, Mayor Antoš acknowledged that reconstruction costs will be significant, comparing the potential investment to the CZK 180 million renovation of the town’s brewery into a cultural center. While that project was supported by European Union funding, it remains uncertain whether similar financial aid will be available for the factory’s redevelopment.

A detailed assessment and 3D model of the site are currently being prepared to evaluate the factory’s structural condition. The city has engaged heritage conservationists and a structural engineer to examine the stability of the four-story main building, which features Gothic cellars but has also suffered deterioration, including collapsed rear sections. Despite its current state, the building’s reinforced concrete skeleton and high ceilings suggest it could be salvaged for reuse.

Several redevelopment ideas are under consideration. The rear of the property could be converted into a two-story parking facility, which would help ease congestion in the town square. Another option is to develop new apartments, addressing local housing needs. The front section of the building could be repurposed into a cultural hall. The city is also considering launching an architectural competition to determine the best approach for transforming the site.

Built in 1884, the Královec factory was once Bohemia’s largest producer of shoelaces, cords, ribbons, and bows. After nationalization, it was used as a clothing warehouse, but following its return to private ownership in 1989, it was left abandoned for 30 years. Despite the challenges, Mayor Antoš emphasized that even if redevelopment takes years, what matters most is that the city now has control over the site’s future.

Source:CTK
Photo: Mayor Stanislav Antoš (KDU-ČSL)