Why the New Philharmonic Hall

Top-class music facilities

Prague lacks a concert hall whose parameters meet the requirements of the 21st century. The music halls used today (the Rudolfinum and Municipal House) were built more than 100 years ago.

Living cultural centre

Prague’s ambition is to be not only a city of historical monuments, but also an inspiring centre of living culture in a national and European context. The new National Music Centre – Vltava Philharmonic Hall – can fulfil this ambition. It will create a new city centre that will attract not only locals, but also visitors from all parts of the country and abroad.

Architectural landmark in Prague

Thanks to an exceptional design by the Danish architectural studio Bjarke Ingels Group, the Vltava Philharmonic Hall will become a new symbol of Prague.

Impetus for urban development

The construction of the Philharmonic Hall will initiate a new urban plan for the Vltavská site and unlock the potential of the currently unused Bubny –Zátory development area. It will initiate the creation of a new urban district for 25,000 inhabitants in the wider centre of Prague.

Objectives of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall

I. A perfect instrument

We want to receive a proposal for a unique philharmonic building called the Vltava Philharmonic Hall, to achieve top-class acoustics in the main concert hall and perfect spatial and visual parameters. The new Philharmonic Hall should provide something fundamentally new and different to what existing Czech concert halls offer.

II. Living city

We want to acquire an extraordinary cultural building, thus creating a centre of cultural and social life that will be a meeting place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

III. Focal point

We want to receive a proposal for a unique philharmonic building called the Vltava Philharmonic Hall, to achieve top-class acoustics in the main concert hall and perfect spatial and visual parameters. The new Philharmonic Hall should provide something fundamentally new and different to what existing Czech concert halls offer.

IV. Vertical city

We want to obtain a multi-level harmonious public space that connects the metro station, its vestibule, the waterfront and all other urban levels, offers attractive views of the city and integrates all transport routes.

V. Prague city centre

We want the Vltava Philharmonic Hall to become an important part of the wider centre of Prague, to be connected to other historical landmarks and to match the unique topography of Prague.

VI. Economic aspects

We want to receive a proposal that will ensure long-term economic sustainability and provide a stimulus for commercial development in a currently dormant area.

VII. Connection with the Vltava

We want the Vltava Philharmonic Hall to be inseparably and uniquely connected to the river.

Project timeline

Foundation of the Association for the Construction of a New Concert Hall in Prague.

Establishment of the Coordination Committee by Prague City Council.
The Prague City Council approved the Memorandum of Cooperation and Mutual Support in the Creation of a New Concert Hall between the City of Prague and the Association.
Discussion of the appropriate location and project settings on the Coordination Committee.
Prague City Council approved the Vltavská site for the hall’s location and preparations for the architectural competition.
Preparation of project management under the leadership of Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček.

Approval of the project management and establishment of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall project team headed by Martin Krupauer.
Tender procedure for the preparation of the Usability Analysis.
Preparation of the Usability Analysis.
Preparatory phase
Preparation of the Usability Analysis.
Preparation and announcement of the architectural competition.
Project phase
Announcement of the results of the architectural competition.
Preparation of project documentation.
January 2025 – design work on the documentation for the merged procedure started

Autumn 2025 – documentation for the building permit will be completed

End of 2025 –request for comments from the affected government authorities will be submitted
Mid 2026 – building permit will be issued
Start of construction
Start of operation

Project Team

Martin Krupauer
Leader of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall Project Team
Martin Gross
Deputy Leader of the Project Team and Project Manager
Monika Habrová
Project Manager
Petra Hrubešová
Project Manager
Vít Pavelec
Area of Concern Coordination Project Manager
Martina Treščáková
Project Secretary
Eliška Marková
Marketing and PR Manager
Julien Dimitrov
Social Network Manager
Daniela Smolová
Public Procurement Administrator
Petra Cupalová
Project Team Assistant