31 August 2026
The Vltava Philharmonic Hall, whose development is managed by the Prague Development Company (PDS), has reached a key milestone. By submitting the application for a project permit, the entire project is entering its next phase. The extensive project documentation covers the future national music centre itself, as well as the surrounding public space, transport infrastructure and other related structures that form an important part of the transformation of the Vltavská area and the Bubny–Zátory brownfield. The project permit is expected to be obtained in the first quarter of 2027, with construction scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2028.
The uploading of the project documentation began on 27 August and, due to its exceptional scope, took three days. The complexity of the documentation reflects the complexity of the project itself. Alongside the national music centre with its five music halls, creative hub, restaurants and other facilities, the documentation also covers extensive modifications to the surrounding public space and transport infrastructure.
The construction site itself presents another major challenge, as it lies within one of Prague’s most complex transport hubs. The project addresses connections to the metro, tram and road networks, as well as pedestrian and cycling routes, and requires coordination with other major investments planned in the area.
“Submitting the application for a project permit is a key milestone in the preparation of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall. Behind the architectural vision, which the public knows primarily from the visualisations presented during the architectural competition, there are now thousands of specific technical solutions, calculations and details. Our task was to bring together exceptional architecture, world-class acoustics, the operation of the building, transport, public space and technical infrastructure so that the result is both beautiful and functional,” says Martin Krupauer, Head of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall Project Team.
From architectural vision to a concrete building
The project has been under continuous and intensive development since the architectural competition concluded in May 2022. From the outset, individual solutions have been consulted with the relevant authorities and institutions so that their requirements could be incorporated into the design on an ongoing basis. Work on the project documentation for the permit application began in 2025.
A large team of architects, designers, engineers, acousticians, consultants and other leading specialists from around the world is working on the project. The preparation process also includes coordination with the future key users of the building – the Czech Philharmonic, the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK and the Music Department of the Municipal Library of Prague.
“In terms of its scale and complexity, the Vltava Philharmonic Hall is one of the most demanding projects currently being prepared by the City of Prague. The project is closely connected with public space, transport and technical infrastructure, as well as with the future development of the entire area. Submitting the application for a project permit is an important step for the Vltava Philharmonic Hall and for the transformation of the neglected Bubny–Zátory area. It also confirms that we are systematically moving the project towards implementation,” says Petr Urbánek, Director of the Prague Development Company.
Inspired by Czech craftsmanship and nature
As the technical documentation was being completed, the architectural and material design of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall was further refined and given a more tangible form. Newly released visualisations now show the project in greater detail than ever before.
The architectural design by the leading Danish studio BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group draws inspiration from music, the Vltava River, Czech nature and the country’s tradition of craftsmanship. Architecture and technical design are developed as a single whole, from the acoustics of the individual halls and the building’s structures and materials to publicly accessible terraces, greenery and the surrounding public space.
The building will offer several concert and multipurpose halls, facilities for the Czech Philharmonic and the Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK, the Music Department of the Municipal Library of Prague, a creative hub with rehearsal and educational spaces for the general public, food and beverage venues, and other publicly accessible areas.
The walkable terraces will form a significant part of the project, connecting the building with the surrounding public space while remaining freely accessible to the public. The project will also create a new waterfront and strengthen the connection between the area, the Vltava River and Prague’s wider network of riverfronts. The building will serve the public 24/7, while the project as a whole includes extensive green areas both on the building and in its surroundings.
Timeline
The project has remained broadly on schedule since its inception. Individual adjustments to the timeline are primarily related to the optimisation of the project design and the coordination of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall construction with other major construction and transport projects in the area.
The project permit is expected to be obtained in the first quarter of 2027. The selection of the general contractor will follow. Provided that the anticipated permitting deadlines are met and the procurement process for the general contractor proceeds as expected, construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2028. Trial operation of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall is expected to begin in 2033.
New visualisations of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall based on the project permit documentation are available here: Visualisations
An illustration of the complexity of the technical design (BIM model sections):
BIM model sections
The Prague Development Company (PDS) is a contributory organisation of the City of Prague responsible for the professional preparation of affordable municipal rental housing projects and other projects in the public interest, including the Vltava Philharmonic Hall. PDS has been entrusted with the management of more than 90 hectares of municipal land, where between 6,000 and 8,000 municipal apartments are expected to be developed over the next 10 to 15 years.
Since 2022, the Vltava Philharmonic Hall Project Team has operated as a dedicated unit within PDS. The team is responsible for the intensive project preparation of the new national music centre and for coordinating a number of related infrastructure projects that will initiate the transformation of the Bubny–Zátory brownfield into a new fully fledged and vibrant urban district.
