Olomouc Prior will undergo a major renovation

Olomouc - The Olomouc department store Prior, which is among the most controversial buildings in the historic core of the city, will undergo a major reconstruction after approximately 30 years of existence. Its owner, CL Trade, plans to modify not only the interior spaces of the building but also its exterior for more than 100 million crowns. During the reconstruction of Prior, the street 8th May in front of the department store will also turn into a construction site, as the city will undertake repairs there. Representatives from the city hall and CL Trade informed reporters about this today.
    The owner and operator of Prior plans to start the reconstruction at the beginning of March next year. It could be completed in six months. During the reconstruction, the department store will be closed. "Prior is 30 years old, and its technologies and sales methods reflect that—they are not modern. After the renovation, it will become a shopping center," said Jan Tlačbaba from the management of CL Trade.
    He added that after the modifications, the department store would also change its name. It will be called Moritz Gallery. The name was chosen by the property owner in relation to the fact that Prior is located in close proximity to the historically protected Church of St. Maurice. The area between the church and the current rear part of the department store, from where Prior is supplied, will also be adjusted by the investor. "Our aim is to rehabilitate this space in front of the Gothic church. We will place furniture there. Part of this area will serve as a garden for the future café in the summer," said the project author, engineer Miroslav Pospíšil.
    Regarding the exterior modifications of Prior, he stated that the builders will, among other things, remove the concrete facade panels from the building. The new facade of the building will feature glass prominently from the sides of 8th May and 28th October streets, which will partially reflect the surrounding historic buildings. "On the sides of Úzká street and from the Church of St. Maurice, the facade will have a combined structure," Pospíšil said.
    The exact costs of the reconstruction of Prior are not yet known to its owner. According to Tlačbaba, they will definitely exceed 100 million crowns. "At the same time, we hope that it will be less than 200 million crowns. Financing will be a mix of our resources and a bank loan," Tlačbaba stated.
    During the reconstruction of Prior, the city will carry out repairs on 8th May, 28th October, and Úzká streets around the department store. The most extensive reconstruction, estimated at around 80 million crowns, will take place on 8th May street, which will involve not only surface repairs but also engineering networks and tram tracks. "We coordinated the timing of our repairs with the private investor for technical reasons. It probably wouldn't make sense to experience tram service disruptions twice in a row and to burden this important location in the city center with construction work consecutively," said Mayor Martin Novotný (ODS).
    The Olomouc department store Prior was built in two phases. It was opened in its current form in 1982. The building includes approximately 5,500 square meters of retail space.