In Prague’s Libeň district, an ambitious project that was meant to house the city hall of District 8 has turned into a deserted building, attracting drug users and homeless individuals. The construction, which started four years after its approval in 2010, ended abruptly in 2015 when the construction company, Metrostav, halted its work due to unpaid bills from the city hall. The subsequent financial crisis and unclear ownership of the building further complicated the situation.

The abandoned building has become a magnet for drug addicts and the homeless, creating a stark contrast between luxury and neglect in the vicinity of Palmovka metro station. Martin Šálek, spokesperson for Prague’s District 8, explains that unfinished construction sites often attract various individuals, leading to undesirable consequences.

The Prague Development Company (PDS), currently tasked with preparing the site for the European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA), acknowledges the ongoing attempts by people to enter the building. In order to prevent homeless individuals and drug users from settling inside, the city hall has allocated funds for security measures, including guarding the premises at their own expense.

The monthly expenses for the building’s security, including mobile facilities, amount to 230,000 Czech crowns, excluding VAT. The city hall justifies these measures as necessary to prevent unwanted activities and potential theft, which would further burden the city with additional costs.

The expenses for security will persist for the next two to three years until the EUSPA is expected to move into the building. The architectural firm CASUA is collaborating with the EUSPA and PDS to develop an appropriate architectural solution that meets the agency’s future requirements.

Despite the challenges posed by the abandoned construction site, efforts are underway to secure and repurpose the space for the EUSPA. In the meantime, the city will remain vigilant in preventing unauthorized entry and undesirable activities within the premises, ensuring the safety and integrity of the building until its new purpose is realized.

Article by Prague Forum