Prague - A new skyscraper may rise in Prague's Pankrác district. The Pankrác company plans to build an administrative building called Ledová věž (Ice Tower) here, not far from other skyscrapers.
The National Heritage Institute has stood up against Pankrác's plans. "From the standpoint of monument conservation, the submitted project is out of the question," the institute says in a statement available to Aktuálně.cz.
Conservationists say it is impossible to build such a high building in the protected area of Prague's historic centre. The city now risks being removed from UNESCO's list because of the already approved Pankrác skyscrapers, to be built by developer ECM.
"This is exactly what we have warned against. The city supports the construction of skyscrapers by ECM, and other investors keep coming and asking for permits for their projects," said Martin Skalský from the environmental NGO Arnika, which is trying to prevent the construction of the skyscrapers.
"High-rise buildings in the immediate proximity of Prague's historic centre are a lucrative business. But the construction of other high buildings on the city skyline may destroy the unique character of the capital," Skalský added.
In two years
Antonis Timiopulos, a manager at the Pankrác company, said the construction of the Ice Tower could begin in two years at the earliest - if the company gains all the required permits.
The stance of the National Heritage Institute is not determinate: Prague City Hall will have the final say. It has already ignored the institute's opinion once - in the case of the neighbouring skyscraper built by ECM. The institute says new projects in this area should not be higher than six to eight storeys. The Ice Tower is projected at 19 storeys, and its height should reach almost 80 metres.
"We only have a study from the architects," Timiopulos told Aktuálně.cz. He added that the Ice Tower was not nearly as massive as the neighbouring ECM buildings. "Its volume will reach one-third or perhaps a quarter [of ECM's skyscrapers]," added Timiopulos.
No skyscraper here
The civic initiative Občanská iniciativa Pankráce has also taken a stance against the planned construction of another skyscraper, also because the new offices would mean more car traffic.
"After completion of the approved buildings, the Pankrác plain and the Budějovická area will have 17,800 new parking spaces. According to official documents from City Hall, this means more than 70,000 car rides a day," says Marie Janoušková from Občanská iniciativa Pankráce.
"The local streets cannot stand more traffic. Besides, the only access route to the Pankrác area is the Prague thoroughfare, which damages the quality of life both in Pankrác and Budějovická and in the city centre," added Janoušková.
Adapted and republished by Prague Daily Monitor.
