Ostravica is set to begin transforming into a creative center next year

Publisher
ČTK
27.09.2019 16:05
Czech Republic

Ostrava


Ostrava - Part of the famous department store Ostravica-Textilia in the center of Ostrava is expected to begin transforming into a new cultural and creative center starting next year. The costs of the reconstruction could reach around 40 to 50 million crowns. The owner of the building, Daniel Zeman, stated this to journalists today, mentioning that he intends to finance the reconstruction from family resources.


In detail, Zeman would like to present the entire project at the beginning of next year. Architects and other experts are collaborating on the transformation project. A three-day workshop started in the city today, where students and recent architecture graduates can contribute their ideas and suggestions. A total of 35 students signed up for the workshop, not only from Ostrava but also from Prague. "We will collect ideas from the students, and I hope we will use them in the concept that will be presented in January," Zeman noted. He added that the next steps would involve the administrative arrangements for the reconstruction of the building and the necessary permits associated with it. "In an ideal scenario, the first part could actually be available for use in the year 2020," Zeman said. The entire project could then be completed by the summer of 2021. "Paradoxically, the biggest issue is not the money for the reconstruction; my family funds are ready for that. For me, the greatest need and purpose is to ensure support for the one who will operate it," Zeman stated.

The current Cooltour center, led by its director Andrej Harmečko, is expected to take care of the content and functioning of the cultural and creative center. "We have only just started the process. We considered this a project that should bring additional civic services to the city. We have created a creative center that will partially connect culture and partially provide some background for start-ups, young entrepreneurs, or various professions that may need photo studios, recording studios, editing rooms, and so on. We have also linked this to some international collaboration because we would like to establish a residency center here," Harmečko explained. He plans to attract foreign artists to Ostrava who could help develop the Ostravian cultural scene and collaborate with the conservatory, university, or other institutions.

Zeman mentioned that over the past four years, a number of conservation works have been carried out in the building. The structure is statistically stabilized. Zeman owns buildings A and B; the other two buildings C and D were purchased from Zeman by the Liberec entrepreneur Michalis Dzikos, who intends to convert this section into a hotel.

The former department store has been deteriorating since 2000 when several ceilings collapsed during an unauthorized reconstruction in part of the building. In the past, the former department store changed owners several times. The city also attempted to find a potential purpose for the building located directly in the center. There were considerations for using the building for the needs of the city hall or library, but the conversion would be financially quite demanding. "I truly assess this plan as the most feasible and most probable. The division into two parts also allows for splitting the investments and the risk between two entities, increasing the likelihood that it will be brought to completion," said Ostrava mayor Tomáš Macura (ANO).
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