Reconstruction of Šlechta's restaurant will not begin until next year

Prague - The long-planned reconstruction of the historic Šlechtova restaurant in Stromovka is once again being postponed. It should begin next year at a cost of 150 million koruna. The ceremonial opening is expected for spring 2017. This was stated by the culture councillor Jan Wolf (Trojkoalice/KDU-ČSL) in response to a question from ČTK. The heritage-protected restaurant has been deteriorating for decades. Its repair has been repeatedly postponed in the past.
    Heritage officials have long described the condition of the building as bleak. The last tender was canceled by the capital city, which manages the monument, last year. The project was too expensive, estimating the repair at a quarter of a billion. The architect was subsequently tasked with simplifying the overpriced project. Expensive staircases, elevators, and unnecessary sanitary facilities will be reduced. The repair will thus be cut to about half the cost.
    According to Wolf, the relevant building authority will start evaluating the project in May or June, which is supposed to issue a permit. In September, the city will announce a tender for the builders. "Work should thus begin during next year," the councillor stated.
    The building of the Šlechtova restaurant, formerly known as the Royal Hall, is a cultural monument. It is named after its last owner Václav Šlecht. Its oldest part dates back to the late 17th century, but the building was completed in the mid-19th century. In 1978 and two years later, the building caught fire, and it has been deteriorating since then. It was also damaged by a flood in 2002.