The office has additionally approved the construction of two underground levels in Soukenická

Prague - The Building Authority has retrospectively approved earthworks and the construction of foundations on the site of the illegally demolished building at 12 Soukenická Street in Prague. However, the authority did not approve the completion of additional above-ground floors of the building. The decision on the retroactive permit was published by the Building Authority for Prague 1 on its notice board. The investor, BauInvest, disagrees with the claim that the building was demolished illegally.

The decision of the authority thus legalizes the construction of two underground levels consisting of a concrete structure and a foundation slab. "The structure is structurally prepared for the addition of further floors - these floors are not the subject of the documentation for the retroactive permit for construction," is stated in the document. At the same time, the document notes that the construction of any additional above-ground floors is not permitted.

The dilapidated Classical building at 12 Soukenická Street, which had been empty since 2007, was demolished in the autumn of 2015. According to the owner, this was due to contamination with chemicals. Heritage authorities approved the completion of the building as an eight-story object with apartments and offices, but by demolishing it, their consent became invalid. A condition was the preservation of the street facade and other valuable elements of the house.

The Building Authority of Prague 1 had permitted the demolition at that time. However, according to the Ministry for Regional Development, its decision was illegal, and demolition can only be ordered in cases where there is an immediate threat of collapse. However, according to the owner, the condition of the building was critical, and the structure was contaminated with toxic substances from the time it housed a pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical laboratory. Therefore, he disagrees with the Ministry’s decision. He can also appeal against the current decision.