Prague 10 to sell former town hall and Eden cultural house amid disrepair concerns

Prague 10 is moving ahead with plans to sell its former town hall on Vršovická Street and the nearby Eden cultural house. The district, which vacated the building due to its deteriorating condition, is now accepting bids from potential buyers until 31 October. In a parallel move, the local government is seeking offers from property owners to sell or lease premises suitable for the town hall’s future needs.

The sale of the former headquarters, known as the Vlasta building, was confirmed by the Prague 10 administration in June, despite opposition pushback. The building, constructed in the 1970s, was deemed too costly to repair, prompting the district office to relocate to rented offices on Vinohradská Street last year. Mayor Martin Valovič (ODS) explained that a PwC analysis showed that renovating Vlasta would be the least financially viable option, with repair costs estimated to exceed CZK 2 billion.

“Reconstruction would require the district to take on a significant loan, burdening the budget and hindering future investments,” said Valovič, justifying the decision to sell.

The opposition, led by the Pirates and the ANO movement, has been vocal in its criticism. They argue that by selling the property, the district would lose a valuable asset that could be repurposed, such as for a school, following repairs. Initial estimates for the renovation were around CZK 1.1 billion, but delays and rising construction costs have pushed the figure closer to CZK 1.86 billion. Including the cost of providing temporary replacement space during the renovation, the total would soar to CZK 2.6 billion, according to district officials.

In addition to the sale, the town hall is actively searching for new premises, inviting real estate owners to submit offers to sell or lease properties. Key criteria for the new location include affordability, accessibility, and parking availability.

Prague 10, home to approximately 110,000 residents and the second-largest district in the city, has faced ongoing challenges with the maintenance of public buildings. The current ruling coalition, Together for Prague 10 (comprising ODS, TOP 09, and other local parties), has prioritized fiscal responsibility, citing the high cost of maintaining outdated infrastructure as a driving force behind the sale.

As the district prepares to evaluate offers for both the Vlasta building and Eden cultural house, the future of these iconic properties remains uncertain, with both supporters and detractors awaiting the next steps.

Source: CTK
Photo: Praha10