Prague heritage officials want a review of the demolition of the building on Soukenická

Prague - Prague conservationists want a review of the decision based on which an investor demolished a historic two-story building on Soukenická Street in the city center over the weekend. Due to chemical contamination, the Prague 1 building authority ordered the demolition. According to the head of the conservationists, Jiří Skalický, this was done illegally. The builder likely also violated the law. Skalický said that sanctions threaten in this case.
    "By demolishing the building, the builder has closed the door to the existing zoning decision," the director claims. He believes that the previously issued zoning decision is rendered invalid by the demolition of the building. "In the future, we, as conservationists, will address the issue of allowing a new building on the original site with the original heights and widths," he added. In the past, conservationists allowed the construction of an eight-story residential building with several underground floors for parking. However, the condition was the preservation and reconstruction of the original building.
    Prague 1 subsequently ordered the demolition last week. The reason was allegedly the building's state of emergency. According to the authority's decision, the structure was contaminated with toxic substances. The investor wants to preserve the Gothic cellars, sandstone portal, and gate. "The plan is to build a building at this location with the same height as the neighboring houses, with purely residential functions, quality architecture, enough parking spaces, and wellness with a pool," said Viktor Vlček, deputy chairman of the board of Bau-Invest, over the weekend.