17 March 2025
The project enters the next phase - preparation of documentation for permits.
Construction is scheduled to start in 2027.
Two years after the announcement of the results of the international architectural competition, in which the Danish architectural studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) won, the detailed architectural study of the Vltava Philharmonic has been completed. Its project team started the building approval process in July 2024 with the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) application, which is now under review. The next step, which the project team has already begun working on, is the preparation of the permit documents to meet the timeline with an anticipated start of construction in 2027. Two years later, the construction costs for the project have also been updated by the Capital City Commission. The construction costs of the Vltava Philharmonic were updated and approved by the Prague City Council at its meeting on 11 September 2024. The Council of the City of Prague took them into consideration on Monday 23 September 2024.
Doc. MUDr. Bohuslav Svoboda, CSc., Mayor of the Capital City of Prague Svoboda, Mgr. Svoboda, M.D., President of the City of Prague, states in this context:
"I can say on behalf of the city administration that we see the Vltava Philharmonic Hall not only as a Prague project that will enrich the local cultural life and start the transformation of the Bubny-Zátory development area, but also as a project that goes beyond the borders of the metropolis. The Vltava Philharmonic Hall will become a cultural highlight for the entire Czech Republic and, by extension, the Central European region. I am glad that the winning design has now been refined into a detailed architectural study and we are moving forward on the right path to turn the dream of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall into reality."
Doc. Ing. arch. Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor for Strategic and Territorial Development says:
"The completion of the detailed architectural study of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall is an important milestone. Thanks to this, we were able to submit an application for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in July 2024, which begins the construction approval process. Following the dramatic economic developments in recent years, we also had the project costs updated. I am pleased that the City Commission has approved the project. I am pleased that the Prague City Council and the Prague City Council have agreed to the Vltava Philharmonic Project. In September 2024, the Prague City Council approved the advancement of the Vltava Philharmonic to the next phase of project preparations, when the documentation for the permit will be prepared. It is also great news that we are still on schedule, according to which the construction of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall should start in 2027."
JUDr. Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Mayor for Culture, said:
"The completion of the detailed architectural study of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall is a major step towards the creation of a modern centre developing Prague's cultural identity and its international reputation as a world music capital. The building will become not only an architectural landmark of the city, but also an open innovative space for art and creativity. It will serve the general public, artists and institutions. It will offer state-of-the-art facilities for orchestras and artists, as well as space for education and community events. Such a space is still lacking in Prague, and I am glad that the outlines of the project are becoming more and more clear."
Jan Wolf, Prague City Councillor Jan Wolf, Prague City Councillor and Chairman of the Committee for Culture, Exhibition and Tourism, said:
"The Vltava Concert Hall will not only be a centre of culture and an architectural gem, but it should also be a magnet and a new impetus for tourism. The location in Holešovice, right next to Bubny Station, which will be used by trains from Prague Airport in the future, is an invitation to this. I am convinced that in the future, so-called cultural tourism can also work in such a way that a tourist will fly to Prague for a concert, listen to it and fly back to his home country immediately after the concert."
Ing. Martin Krupauer, head of the project team of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall adds:
"As part of the completion of the detailed architectural study of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall, the individual operational, structural, functional and technical solutions were worked out in detail, the required additions were made to the premises and the overall use of the building was made more efficient. Following this elaboration and refinement and the economic developments of the past two years, which have changed the price level of building materials and construction work, we have had the budget updated. The tender proposal in April 2022 assumed a project cost of CZK 9.4 billion. The estimated cost of the building according to the detailed architectural study in September 2024 is CZK 11.65 billion. This is an increase of 11.5 %, which was approved by the Capital Commission. This is an increase of 11.11 per cent, which was accepted by the Prague City Council and the Prague City Council in September 2024. The financing of the project will be multi-sourced and the most suitable solution is being worked on."
About the Vltava Philharmonic Hall
National Music Centre. The Vltava Philharmonic Hall is conceived as a national centre of musical culture, especially musical art. The architectural design by the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) consists of both the music halls (main, chamber and multifunctional) and the so-called creative hub, which will consist of the music department of the Municipal Library in Prague, recording studios and a music literature study room.
The seat of two orchestras. The Vltava Philharmonic Hall will house two orchestras: the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra and the Prague Symphony Orchestra. Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra FOK, which will have adequate space for their residencies and educational programmes. The rehearsal rooms and a smaller teaching hall will be used not only by music schools of various levels from Prague and the Czech regions.
Open 24/7/365. The Philharmonic is designed to be as open as possible and its ambition is to attract not only classical music lovers, but also residents and visitors to Prague from all over the country and abroad. It offers generous public spaces with park-like landscaping and benches for seating, a spacious foyer with a café and two rooftop restaurants with beautiful views of Prague.
Residential terraces. The roof of the project is conceived as a continuation of the public space of the square, it will be partly green and mostly residential. It will be possible to ascend to its top either by attractive escalators or rooftop walkways, and everyone will be able to enjoy unique panoramic views of Prague.
