Staletá Praha 41, 1/2025, 2-69

New Buildings in the Historic Centre of Prague 1990–2020

Richard Biegel

Ústav pro dějiny umění FF UK Praha, Celetná 20, CZ-110 00 Praha 1-Staré Město

Between 1990 and 2020, the Historic Centre of Prague underwent a fundamental transformation reflecting the new situation after the fall of the communist regime in 1989. This transformation is most evident in the construction of the new buildings, which initially sprang up mainly on long-standing vacant plots, creating a new architectural layer. The 1990s in particular saw a remarkable variety of architectural approaches engaging with the historic city in different ways. The decade following the revolution prompted the construction of significant new buildings, such as the Dancing House, and the organisation of public competitions, including those for the Hypobanka and the Four Seasons. These initiatives provided not only a platform for diverse architectural projects, but also sparked professional debates that were crucial in shaping contemporary awareness of architecture and heritage conservation. However, at the same time, the weakening of professional institutions such as the Prague Heritage Institute and the Office of the Chief Architect, alongside with the loosening of urban planning and heritage rules resulted in a long-term absence of detailed regulation of the city centre. Since 2000, the amount of land available for new construction has declined, putting pressure on historic buildings to be demolished. This has been compounded by a lack of public tenders and an increase in investment projects, resulting in the construction of large buildings with a purely administrative and commercial focus (Quadrio, Florentinum, Masaryk Centre 1). However, alongside these controversial interventions, there were also new buildings that sensitively integrated into their surroundings, clearly enriching them, such as the Langhans House and the Metropol Hotel. This article aims to analyse significant new buildings in the context of the historic city, contemporary architecture, and any professional debate they may have provoked. The text attempts to capture the more general trends that developed over the decades, as well as the diverse and contradictory consequences for architecture and the historic centre.

Keywords: Prague – architecture – urban planning – heritage management – Historic Centre of Prague – UNESCO monument – Prague Heritage Institute (PÚPP) – National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) – Office of the Chief Architect (ÚHA) – Heritage Department of the Prague City Hall (OPP HMP) – Dancing House – Myslbek – Špaček’s House – Hypobanka – Four Seasons – Langhans – Metropol Hotel – Quadrio – Florentinum – Masaryk Centre 1

Grants and funding:

Článek je výstupem projektu Novostavby v historickém prostředí, DH23P03OVV017, který je financován Ministerstvem kultury v rámci Programu NAKI III – programu na podporu aplikovaného výzkumu v oblasti národní a kulturní identity.

Published: December 8, 2025