Developer of the skyscraper in Jižní Město failed in court

Prague - The company Tweelingen, which wanted to build an office skyscraper at Litochlebské Square in Prague 11, was unsuccessful in its lawsuit against the state. The developer sued the state for 573 million crowns, claiming that the cancellation of the amendment to the zoning plan made the construction impossible. According to the District Court for Prague 1, however, the state is not a party that should be sued in this matter. The verdict is not yet final, and the developer has appealed. This was reported today by E15.cz citing the spokesperson of the Ministry for Regional Development, Vilém Frček.

"The lawsuit of Tweelingen against the Czech Republic was dismissed by the District Court for Prague 1 on the grounds that the state is not a party that should be sued in this matter. The amendment to the zoning plan is subject to a provision of the Building Act, according to which a change to the zoning plan falls within the independent jurisdiction of the territorial unit," Frček told the server. The ministry performs the function of a central administrative authority in spatial planning and construction law.

The developer wanted to build a 24-story office building with an extension at Litochlebské Square, which was to be up to 105 meters tall, while the surrounding buildings are about 30 meters high. Local residents and opposition politicians opposed the construction, and in 2014, the Prague Municipal Court canceled the amendment to the zoning plan that permitted such an extensive project. This also nullified the zoning decision and building permit. According to the court's ruling at that time, the building authority did not adequately consider the objections of civic associations and parts of the population.

Co-owner of Tweelingen, Daniel Bartek, told the server that the company has appealed the court's decision. The majority of the amount claimed consisted of lost profits. The other owner of Tweelingen is Tomáš Janeček, brother of billionaire Karel Janeček.

The project at Litochlebské Square is not the only development plan that has failed in South City, E15 reminds. In the past, the PPF group unsuccessfully attempted to promote the construction of two administrative towers near the Chodov metro station. However, the project named Prague Eye was ultimately abandoned. The land was acquired in 2016 along with other real estate assets from PPF by the Kaprain group of investor Karel Pražák.