The demolition of the decaying city baths in Plzeň has begun and will last for three months

Plzeň - The Plzeň Region has begun demolition work in the inner courtyard of the 30-year dilapidated spa in Plzeň. This marks the start of the revitalization of the complex that the region purchased from a private owner. The demolition of the boiler and steam annex, which will last three months, will cost six million crowns. On the site, the region plans to construct a five-story building for the West Bohemian Gallery by 2026. The reconstruction of the nationally protected spa building from 1932 and the construction of the gallery will cost 1.6 to 1.9 billion crowns. Pavel Strolený (ANO), regional councilor for the economy, stated this today to ČTK.

According to him, the region already has 200 million in its budget this year for preparatory construction work, demolition, networks, further project planning, and issuing public contracts for construction. He expects the construction to begin in the autumn.

"If more money is needed for construction this year, we are prepared to increase the amount through a budget adjustment. Also considering that we will have a large surplus from last year's budget, there will be enough funds in the reserve to cover any higher demands," said the councilor. He did not disclose the amount of the surplus.

"In the spring, we would like to announce a competition for the construction contractor, and after the holidays, the contractor could be known. If the weather is favorable, we could start construction at the end of this year," Strolený stated. According to governor Rudolf Špoták (Pirates), the works will mostly involve excavation and demolition in the inner courtyard. "The entire construction will take two to two and a half years, so it will be completed by the beginning of 2027," he added.

The architectural study was prepared by the Prague studio of Eva Heyworth, which is now working on the project. For the renovation of the spa, the region chose the Design&Build method, where the winning contractor will both design and build. After completing the project, which will determine the final price, the region will begin applying for grants but is prepared to contribute significantly to the construction. In mid-December last year, the councilors approved the plan to arrange a two-billion-crown loan. According to Strolený, the region has approached six banks. The governor does not expect the entire loan framework to be utilized.

"We aim to restore the historical building's luster and connect it with modern usage trends. Our intention is to create suitable spaces for the gallery, as well as to establish a multifunctional hall for a wide range of uses in the historical part of the building where the pool was located. There will also be space for organizations conducting leisure activities for children and youth," said the governor.

The technical annex of the spa will be demolished by the end of March. "The site will be cleared, and immediately after that, exploratory drilling will begin, as underground parking and a monolithic gallery will be constructed there,” Špoták stated.

The demolition is being carried out by the Prague-based company Trepart, which specializes in remediation and demolition work, including processing and removal of rubble.