Prague's Florenc area set for major transformation with new competition

Prague’s Florenc area is set for a significant transformation as the Penta Real Estate, in collaboration with the city, has launched four international architectural competitions for a major redevelopment project. This marks a key stage in reshaping the area between the city’s notorious highway and the Florenc bus station.

The project will consist of four urban blocks, each featuring unique functional spaces such as residential, office, retail, and hospitality. The competition’s aim is to create a vibrant and sustainable city quarter that integrates seamlessly into its surroundings while addressing the needs of residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

The planned redevelopment comes after the successful completion of the Florenc21 urban design competition in 2021, which provided a blueprint for the future of the area. The winning design team proposed a solution that connects key districts of Prague, including New Town, Karlín, and Žižkov, through two new pedestrian streets.

“We are building on the foundations of Florenc21, a highly respected urban design that ensures all key actors in the process have been heard. I believe the spirit of mutual respect will lead to high-quality architecture for this new district,” Petr Hlaváček, Prague’s deputy mayor, states through a press release.

The four-block competition will see architectural teams from around the world submit their ideas for transforming the western side of the Florenc area. Each block will have its own competition, and the jury can combine concepts from different teams within a block to promote diversity in design. The goal is to create a varied yet cohesive urban landscape that reflects Prague's eclectic architectural heritage.

Architectural teams have until December 13, 2024, to submit their entries. The selection panel will choose between six and eight participants for each competition, and the winners will be announced in the fall of 2025.

“Such extensive brownfields in city centers are rare in Western Europe, and this is a great opportunity for architects to contribute to the development of a truly unique district,” adds David Musil, managing director of Penta Real Estate for the Czech Republic.

The project aims to create up to 85,000 square meters of usable space across the four blocks, with over half dedicated to residential purposes. Additionally, approximately 20 percent will be allocated to office spaces, and a similar proportion will be designated for retail and services. A hotel will also be built in the block near the railway tracks, further enhancing the area’s potential as a mixed-use urban center.

“The challenge is to choose the best architectural teams to help make Florenc a great place to live," says architect Stefan Behnisch, chair of the competition jury. "We are looking forward to finding the best solutions for each of the new buildings, considering both architectural quality and sustainability.”

The competition will be overseen by a diverse jury that also includes Italian architect Maria Alessandra Segantini, Dutch architect Kees Christiaanse, Lithuanian architect Gilma Teodora Gylyte, and Czech architecture award winner Štepán Valouch. The jury will evaluate each submission for its ability to enhance the Florenc area’s distinct character.

Public participation has played an essential role in shaping the project from the outset. In 2021, Prague residents were invited to provide feedback on the current state of the area, highlighting aspects they wanted preserved and issues they hoped the redevelopment would address.

This public input, along with consultation with preservationists and urban planners, has shaped the development’s design criteria, ensuring the revitalization respects the historical context while creating a modern, functional city space.

As the project moves forward, local authorities see the transformation of Florenc as an opportunity to improve connectivity between the districts of Prague 1 and Prague 8, contributing to a more seamless urban experience.

“Florenc is one of the city’s key development areas, and it will have a major impact on the future shape of the city,” adds Ondřej Boháč, director of the Institute of Planning and Development of the City of Prague.