The future of Koh-i-noor in Prague: hundreds of flats built on the site
PSN estimated the total investment at two billion crowns three years ago. However, construction costs have risen sharply in the meantime. The architectural study of the transformation of the almost two-hectare complex was prepared in 2020 by the Jakub Cigler architects studio.
“We expect that in the spring of next year we would start demolishing and rehabilitating the area and renovating the historic part. As soon as we have all the permits, we will start construction, “said Štěpán Smrčka, PSN’s director of development and project management.
The century-old plant for zips, pins and other metal haberdashery is not just replaced by new buildings. The developer promises to preserve and renovate the listed buildings. “The main one is the Waldes building towards Vršovická street and one valuable historical building leading to Kavkazská street. Both urban and architectural documents document the industrial development from the beginning of the 20th century, when Jindřich Waldes’ company started operating here, “said Smrčka.
VIDEO: Koh-i-Noor leaves Vršovice in Prague
The developer promises that the complex of new buildings enclosed by Vršovická, Moskevská, Kavkazská and Altajská streets will be open and open to the public. “A number of non-residential units for shops and services will be created on the ground floor of the buildings. The civic amenities in the locality are thus expanding not only for new residents, but also for existing residents, “said Smrčka.
PSN bought a factory complex in the wider center of Prague five years ago. The previous owner was a group of managers led by Libor Procházka from the bankrupt Investment and Postal Bank.
The history of the company, which has nothing to do with the České Budějovice company Koh-i-Noor of the Břízů family, began in 1902. The factory was founded by the factory owner Jindřich Waldes. In 1908, the company expanded with a new factory in Vršovice, designed and built by Alois Richter. This marked the beginning of a stormy construction phase between Vršovická and Kavkazská streets, which is today a proof of industrial architecture of the early 20th century.
The factory complex was rebuilt again. The oldest building is the Alois Richter building on the corner of Moskevská and Vršovická, which, according to the developer, is largely damaged. The neoclassical building from 1917, designed by architect Ladislav Skřivánek, has been preserved in its original form. The largest building in the entire complex in the Viennese Art Nouveau style dates from 1920 and was designed by engineer Jindřich Pollert, who proved to be suitable for the construction of other halls.