Frýdek-Místek once again adorns unique merchant houses thanks to an entrepreneur

Frýdek-Místek - The Hluboká Street in the historic part of Frýdek-Místek is once again adorned with three unique merchant houses. The replicas correspond exactly to the form of half-timbered bourgeois houses from the late 18th century, which gradually fell into ruin, said Milan Kiedroň, a businessman from Frýdek-Místek, who had the houses constructed at his own expense. Soon, Korean managers of Hyundai car company will find their base in these houses.
    According to spokesperson Jana Matějíková from the Frýdek-Místek municipality, the merchant houses had been deteriorating for years, even though they were on the list of monuments and there was allegedly a study for their restoration. At the beginning of the millennium, however, only the remains of the underground and one above-ground floor were left. The Ministry of Culture then removed them from the list of cultural monuments at the city's request. Three years ago, Frýdek-Místek announced a tender for tenants of the land with the remains of the merchant houses.
    Kiedroň succeeded in the competition and, according to the municipality, he removed the ruins at his own expense and began constructing the replicas on their site last October. He completed them in August this year, at which time the municipality also concluded purchase agreements for the sale of the land with him.
    The new buildings, like the original merchant houses, have casement windows and wooden shutters. The restoration of the historic houses is driven by the investor's enthusiasm for old things. "I have a relationship with old things and old cars, I am a collector of historic vehicles and their parts, so I decided to build the merchant houses according to the city's requirements and the conservation standards," Kiedroň told ČTK. One of the houses was inhabited by Leoš Janáček's grandfather, which will soon be commemorated by a new memorial plaque. The city is currently ensuring its production according to Kiedroň.
    However, he has not yet commented on the amount for the restoration, as the work is still ongoing. "There were things that were many times more expensive than in regular construction in order to maintain the original look and period elements. An outdoor terrace, access road behind the retaining wall, and parking lot are still missing, and we are finishing the interiors," he added.
    Matějíková noted that although the newly built merchant houses on Hluboká Street are an exterior faithful copy of the historical houses, they are modernly furnished inside. "There are 28 rooms in them, which show signs of small-sized apartments, a spacious kitchen and dining room. They will be ready for use by the end of this year. Korean employees from Hyundai will find their base there in the near future," she added.