Prague takes another step towards construction of new philharmonic concert hall

Prague has taken another step towards the construction of a planned philharmonic concert hall in Prague’s Holešovice district. City councillors have approved a feasibility study for the project, which estimates its cost at over six billion crowns. The City Hall wants to announce an international competition for the project by the end of this year.

The comprehensive analysis, presenting various options for the concept and use of the new building, including its operating costs, was prepared by a consortium led by the world-famous Henning Larsen studio.

The new concert hall should be located near the Vltavská metro station, in the so-called Bubny–Zátory location. The project is part of a larger plan to revitalize the neglected part of the Holešovice neighbourhood and turn into a brand new city district.

According to Prague’s councillor for urban planning, Petr Hlaváček, the concert hall should be owned by the city or by a city-owned company. The feasibility study suggests the project should create around 4,000 jobs and should attract up to 600,000 people a year.

The analysis prepared by the international team of architects proposes to have three concert halls in the building. The major one with a capacity of 1,800 visitors, a smaller one for chamber music accommodating 500 people and a multifunctional hall with a capacity of up to 700 people.

The costs of the operation can be partly covered by renting the halls and commercial spaces, such as shops, cafes and restaurants.

The estimated costs of around CZK 6.1 billion also include the outer spaces and underground parking. According to Mr Hlaváček, the city is already holding talks with the Ministry of Culture about co-financing the project.

According to a preliminary schedule, a tender for the construction firm could be announced at the end of 2025 and beginning of 2026. The building could be built by the end of 2032, assuming there are no delays.

The Danish studio Henning Larsen has already designed several opera halls in Europe, including the Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík, the Danish National Opera in Copenhagen, and the building of the Polish Radio National Symphony Orchestra in Katowice.