The fine for demolition in Ořechovka does not apply to the company of Blanka Matragi

Prague - The Ministry of Culture canceled the fine of 150,000 crowns that the Prague magistrate imposed on the company Matragi Design for demolishing a villa in Prague's Ořechovka. The case was returned by the ministerial heritage protectors to the municipal authorities for reconsideration, said ministry spokeswoman Anna Ješátková today. The company, co-owned by fashion designer Blanka Matragi, claims that the blame for the destruction of the house lies with the construction company; according to the ministry, the magistrate was unable to address this objection.
"The company Matragi Design did not intend to completely remove the family house; only maintenance work should have been carried out," the ministry states.
The villa was demolished in early December, and according to Prague's heritage protectors, the law was violated as it was done without a binding opinion, i.e., permission from their department. Therefore, they imposed a fine on the company. The building authority of Prague 6 also imposed two fines - one on Matragi Design and another on the builders, who had been permitted changes to the villa since last November but demolished it due to an alleged accident.
The company Matragi Design appealed the fine imposed by the magistrate to the ministry. Matragi stated that the blame for the destruction of the house lies with the construction company, with which they have already terminated cooperation. The ministry justifies its decision by stating that Matragi Design only learned about the tree fall, caused by the construction company, and the demolition of the house afterward. "This fact was initially concealed from the appellants by the construction company," the ministry adds.
According to the ministry's heritage protectors, the company tried to remedy the situation in cooperation with the authorities, for example, by submitting a request for a supplementary building permit. "Previously, it was not possible to request any opinion from the relevant authority, as Matragi Design was not informed at all about the emergency state. The magistrate should have addressed this objection and proven the actual responsibility for the administrative offense to the appellant," the ministry states. In further proceedings, the magistrate must address these objections.
The family house was located in the heritage zone of the Villa Colony on Pod Vyhlídkou Street. Matragi Design submitted a project for a new building, which is to be one floor higher and have a changed roof, to the National Heritage Institute for review at the beginning of this year. Heritage protectors rejected such a design, stating that it is not suitable for the given locality. However, the final decision will rest with the magistrate's heritage care department.