Prague's tallest building could soon become this post-apocalyptic metal tanker crashed into a skyscraper

The Czech Republic might have a new tallest building, if developer Trigema’s plan for the 135-meter-tall multifunctional high-rise building near Prague’s Nové Butovice metro stop is approved. The project was designed by sculptor David Černý and architect Tomáš Císař from the studio Black n´ Arch.

The building, called Top Tower, looks as if the metal frame of a tanker ship has collided with modern high-rise. The ship will be covered in greenery. It is meant to evoke a post-apocalyptic scene, and draw attention to environmental issues. Developer Trigema counts on LEED Gold certification for an energy-efficient building.

According to initial estimates, investment costs will amount to 2 billion CZK. The developer hopes to begin in construction in 2021, with construction lasting three years.

“We have been preparing the Top Tower project for more than two years and the final version was preceded by eight other alternative solutions. During this time, we have collected and are still collecting suggestions from experts, affected state and local authorities, and of course the local public, whose representatives have already been and will continue to participate in a number of meetings,” Marcel Soural, Chairman of Trigema, said in press release.

The developer did not state what permits it has obtained yet or applied for. The permitting process alone can take several years.

The building would offer a public view point at the highest point of the building. Almost the entire perimeter of Prague would be visible from the lookout point, including Prague Castle, the National Theatre, Vyšehrad, and Zbraslav.

The building itself, with a height of 125 meters, will be intended for rental housing, while on the lower floors will have offices and premises for a multifunctional cultural center connected with a publicly accessible roof garden. The additional 10 meters come from the sculpture of the ship frame extending higher than the building.

The lower floors will have shops and services. The basement will have parking spaces that will be shared for the general public.

The project will be outside the protected zone of the urban conservation area and outside the area prohibiting high-rise buildings. It will not be visible from the vast majority of places in the city center of the metropolis, and the historical panorama of the city will not be disturbed, according to the developer.

The tallest building in the Czech Republic is currently the AZ Tower in Brno, at 111 meters. Prague’s City Tower is just behind it at 109 meters. This does not include broadcasting towers or chimneys.

Trigema is a development company with an overlap into other activities such as construction, building management, science development, tourism and startup support, according to its website. The company’s turnover is around 1 billion CZK every year.