The Briess malting plant in Brno-Husovice may be saved by an architectural competition

photo: facebook.com/BriessBrno

Brno – About 800 people have signed a petition against the demolition of the former Briess Brewery complex in Gargulákova Street in Brno's Husovice district. The site where the 19th-century building with a tall chimney stands was included in a zoning plan change two years ago, designating it for a access road and bridge to the former Zbrojovka complex, where a new district is being developed. However, as Filip Chvátal (KDU-ČSL), the city councillor for urban planning, told ČTK, the fate of the former brewery is not yet sealed.

Moreover, this is not a new issue in the zoning plan. "This is not a change contemplated in the new zoning plan, but rather a change to the old plan approved two years ago. It concerns the traffic connection of the New Zbrojovka to the new Dukelská Street and further to Tomkovo Square. It will be a backbone communication route intended for public transport and cyclists," Chvátal explained.

Many people were unaware of this approved change to the zoning plan. People from the photo studio Mocup Space Brno, which is based in the renovated building, therefore started collecting signatures for a petition to preserve the complex. "As part of the festival 'Let's Cross the River', we organized an open day at the Briess Brewery to show people from the vicinity, as well as from all over Brno, the unique environment of this architecturally significant complex. Several hundred people came to see us, which exceeded our expectations. However, many of them were shocked because they had no idea about Brno's intention to demolish a large part of the complex," said Juraj Buráň from Mocup Space Brno.

Brno city councillor Filip Chvátal admitted that he was unaware of the situation, but he believes that preserving the complex is possible. A new traffic artery to the New Zbrojovka is to include a bridge costing more than 200 million. The intention to announce an architectural competition for its design has already been approved by the representatives. The appearance of the bridge will be crucial for the future of the Briess Brewery.

"Personally, I am definitely in favor of preserving the complex. And it will depend on the specific proposal for the bridge's design, so we will strive in the architectural competition to find a solution that will interfere with the complex as little as possible," Chvátal said.

The Briess Brewery was established in 1900 and was owned by the Jewish entrepreneur Rudolf Briess along with his partner Jakob Feiwel. The partners split in 1906, and Rudolf Briess moved to Olomouc. During the Protectorate, a German administrator was appointed to this originally Jewish property, and arms production was introduced there. After the war, the brewery was acquired by Zetor, Motor Division. A part of the former brewery has been renovated and houses several tenants, including a brick chimney. On the opposite bank of the Svitava River, a new district is being developed in the former Zbrojovka factory area over four hectares, which is being built by the developer CPI Property Group. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2026.