Trigema has started the demolition of the building due to the construction of the so-called Two Towers in Prague 12

Prague - The investment group Trigema on Tuesday began the demolition of a shopping center in the Kamýk housing estate on Vosátková Street in Prague 12. In its place, the developer intends to build a new shopping center and a residential building with nine and 15 above-ground floors. This was reported today by the spokesperson of Trigema, Petra Martínková. Prague 12 today called on Facebook to halt the demolition work.

The leadership of Prague 12 had previously objected to the construction of the so-called Twin Towers, which were originally proposed with 18 and 14 above-ground floors. Trigema has revised and downsized the project. However, according to the city councilors, it is still an oversized building that will worsen traffic conditions and quality of life in the area. According to Trigema, the proposed buildings are in accordance with the zoning plan, and the councilors' arguments are irrelevant. The investment group has filed a lawsuit against the councilors.

"We understand that the closure of the shopping center may cause problems for residents, and therefore it is our priority to complete the entire project as quickly as possible," said Martínková. Trigema hopes to have the building completed within two years from the issuance of the building permit. According to the spokesperson for Trigema, the consent of Prague is still needed to initiate the building process.

Prague 12 today called on the developer to halt the demolition of the building on Vosátková Street and has had the demolition order investigated, which is apparently from 2018, according to the city hall. "The most serious objection is that operations are still ongoing in part of the building, specifically in the restaurant. Therefore, we have sent a request to the building department to stop the demolition until the entire building is vacated," stated Deputy Mayor Eva Tylová (BEZPP/Piráti s podporou Zelených). According to Tylová, the developer's actions contradict the issued demolition order. "The current actions pose a direct risk to the safety of people present in the restaurant and a general public threat,” she told ČTK.

The Prague 12 Council rejected the construction in its resolution in August. Tylová pointed out that the proposed building is oversized compared to the surrounding development, there is a risk of a loss of parking spaces for local residents, and there will be a lack of civic amenities in the area of the proposed project. According to Deputy Mayor of Prague 12 Petr Šula (TOP 09), the building is not in accordance with the stabilized area. The city council's dissenting opinion on the project called Two Towers was confirmed at the end of September by the Prague 12 Assembly, which supported a petition from residents against the construction.

Trigema rejects the councilors' arguments and on Sunday, October 3, sent a lawsuit against the City District of Prague 12 to the Prague City Court. According to Deputy Mayor Tylová, the lawsuit is an interference with the rights of the city district regarding self-governance and the protection of the public interest of its residents.

Trigema purchased the original low-rise shopping center in 2018 with the goal of demolishing it and building two residential buildings with a commercial ground floor in its place. The towers were originally planned to have 18 and 14 above-ground floors. The proposal did not receive the necessary permits from the authorities, and therefore underwent changes. The planned buildings now aim to have nine and 15 floors, containing apartments for approximately 300 people. Three-story underground garages are designed for them.