The city of Zlín announced a public tender for the reconstruction of the Great Cinema building

Zlín - Zlín has announced a contract for the reconstruction of the Grand Cinema in the city center. Construction could begin this year, said Mayor Jiří Korec (ANO) today to ČTK. The monumentally protected building was constructed by the Baťa company in 1932 and has been closed for ten years due to poor structural integrity. The estimated cost of the reconstruction is just under 640 million crowns excluding VAT. The city aims to secure grants for the repairs, which could amount to up to 240 million crowns. After the restoration, the Grand Cinema will become a multifunctional center with two auditoriums.

During the reconstruction, the builders will preserve the steel supporting structure, which is a cultural monument. It will be clearly visible in the interior. It will be complemented by an external steel structure that will ensure stability and take on the load. The external appearance of the building will be similar, with side entrances replaced by retractable and opening windows.

During the reconstruction, the auditorium will be divided into two spaces. The main auditorium will be multifunctional, allowing tiered retractable seating for lectures, film screenings, or festivals, as well as the use of the entire area of the auditorium for exhibitions, fairs, conferences, or concerts. The small auditorium will also be multifunctional, serving for theater and dance performances, concerts, conferences, or film screenings, possibly as a refreshment area for large events. The smaller auditorium will have a capacity of approximately 200 seats, while the large auditorium will accommodate around 800 seated viewers.

The original capacity of the Grand Cinema's auditorium was over 2000 seats, which has gradually been reduced to 1010 seats. However, the building was damaged during the war, due to poor maintenance, and other stress factors.

Interested parties in the contract may also offer the construction of an underground parking lot along with its subsequent operation. If an underground parking lot were to be built, the parking lots under the cinema and between the neighboring department store and market would disappear. Only the parking lot behind the department store would remain, Korec stated.