Staroměstská brána - The Old Town Gate

More space for life

An area of 6,250 m² will be transformed

A pleasant and functional whole

A place where you will want to stop

Connecting the city and the river

A new urban space that invites you in

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About Staroměstská brána (The Old Town Gate)

The Old Town Gate will be a new urban space in the heart of Prague.

We want to give the end of Pařížská Avenue a new form that will serve the city’s inhabitants as well as its visitors. We will open an area of 6,250 m² from Bílkova Street across Miloš Forman Square up to the quay at the Dvořák Embankment. We will enrich it with greenery, fountains, street furniture and new shops, services, cafes and restaurants.

Sustainability of the city

An interplay of elements for a better climate

Trees and water not only embellish, but constitute important functional elements as well. Combined harmoniously with the use of greenery in the hotel reconstruction itself and complemented by a whole array of technologies employed, they help decrease the temperature of the site and contribute to a better microclimate. A strong green footprint – increasing the share of unpaved green areas, adding tall trees and greening roofs and facades – is part of the overall ecological strategy of the project, which also relies on a responsible energy concept with low emissions and renewable energy sources including geothermal energy. Find out more

What are we planning?

A pleasant and functional whole

More space for life

Public space will be enlarged by 1,620 m². Concrete blocks of discharge ducts and entrance ramps of underground garages that used to take up more than a fifth of Miloš Forman Square will disappear. The zone facing the river, closed until now, will equally undergo a transformation.

The park and the line of trees

Thanks to approximately 500 m² of extra space, Miloš Forman Square will be enriched with a park including a lawn, a threshing path, a line of trees, benches and fountains. The whole area will be framed with alleys of trees.

Connection to the river

In the area facing the embankment, a resting zone will be created with a green slope and a seating area. A subway will connect the zone with the quay, thus avoiding the necessity to cross the busy street.

New pedestrian links

Restricting traffic at Miloš Forman Square and its revitalization will make it possible to renew pedestrian links. The new pedestrian bridge will safely link it to Curie Square where a primary school is situated.

Better climate

Trees, bushes, grass and green roofs: The space will be enriched with different forms of greenery. In line with current trends, irrigation will be ensured with retention reservoirs or a rain garden, thus contributing to a better microclimate.

A renewed city axis

The glass surface of the new building harbours the necessary operating and technical elements of the complex. It only takes up approximately 8.5% of the square area. Its silhouette is reminiscent of history, hinting at the building that used to be there and renewing the line extending from Čech Bridge up to the Old Town Square.

0 m²

of space

0 new trees

in alleys and parks

0 park areas

for relaxation

”We closely collaborate with preservationists, artists and local suppliers of materials in order to fulfil our commitment to preserve the unmistakable character of the edifice.”

The old and the new

The Fairmont Hotel

The remarkable building of the former Hotel InterContinental forms an integral part of the area. After a thorough reconstruction it will be reopened as part of the Fairmont chain. The reconstruction honours the unique elements placing the edifice among the pearls of brutalist architecture while at the same time emphasizing the technological and ecological requirements of the 21st century.

Where did we start and where are we headed?

Connection with the life in the city

As the private property of the hotel, the area served mainly for its operating needs, there were sections that were neglected or closed to the public. Miloš Forman Square itself was busy with traffic, more than a fifth being completely inaccessible due to outdated discharge ducts from underground garages. The new project aims at opening the space to serve the inhabitants of Prague as well as its visitors.

”Due to historical interventions into the built-up area, the line extending from Svatopluk Čech bridge up to Old Town Square was interrupted at the end of Pařížská Avenue. The project’s vision is to enhance the site and reconnect it with the river, the city, its life and its inhabitants.”

Marek Tichý, project designer, architect and lecturer

Who we are

Who is behind the project?

One of the investors Pavel Baudiš and architect Marek Tichý

An investment with generational potential

R2G

Behind the idea of the Old Town Gate is the R2G family investment office of Oldřich Šlemr, Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera, Czech entrepreneurs whose companies have gained renown worldwide. The project also has strong personal importance for them as they and their families have been living in Prague all their lives. They are personally tied to the site and wish to see it flourish.

Finding a balance between the old and the new

TaK Architects

The designer of the project is architect Marek Tichý, head of TaK Architects. They took up the implementation as the winners of an international competition. Together with his team he has been involved in renewing the Prague urban space for more than 30 years. He is behind the new face of buildings such as the Na zábradlí Theatre and the Electrical Enterprises. He has received a number of prestigious awards for his work, including the BigSee Award.

About us