H. Králové will be searching for a designer for the repair of the dilapidated Gočár staircase

Hradec Králové – The city of Hradec Králové is preparing a competition for the designer of the reconstruction of the heritage-protected Gočár staircase, which is in a state of emergency. The estimated price of the contract is 3.3 million crowns excluding value-added tax. This was stated today by the deputy mayor for investments, Lukáš Řádek (TOP 09). The total costs for the repair of the staircase from 1911 are estimated by the city hall at 25 million crowns. The staircase, in the style of individualistic modernism, connects Komenského Street with the Great Square in the historical center of the city. It underwent its last repair in 1995.

Due to the threat of falling pieces of plaster and concrete, the city had scaffolding with nets erected in the winter on the upper part of the three-armed staircase. Workers will also be able to make the first urgent repairs from the scaffolding. "Preliminary surveys are also being conducted from the scaffolding," said Řádek.

According to preliminary investigations, the monolithic reinforced concrete structures of the staircase have been mainly damaged by rising moisture, frost, and acidic rains. There are cracks in the concrete, caverns, and in the upper parts of the staircase, the concrete is crumbling. In the lower part of the staircase, the steps are sunken. The airtight acrylic and silicone coatings used in the repair 31 years ago will have to be removed by the builders.

The reinforced concrete staircase was designed by architect Josef Gočár on the site of the demolished inn U Zlatého beránka and the Kropáčky tower. The dominant feature of the staircase is a semicircular arch with suspended lighting and a wall with prismatic ribs.