The Clock of the Reconstructed Industrial Palace will Strike Again in June Next Year
The reconstruction of the Industrial Palace at the Prague Exhibition Grounds has been successfully continuing for the third year. The clock tower, one of the most distinctive elements of the entire building, is now almost complete. The clock itself will resume striking as soon as the construction is fully completed, which is due to happen in June next year.
"The Industrial Palace is not only an architectural pearl of Prague, but also a symbol of the city’s cultural vitality and continuity. I am looking forward to the first strike of the clock after the reconstruction is completed - it will be a clear signal that Prague is ready to offer new opportunities for world-class cultural and social events," says Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Mayor for Culture, Tourism, Exhibitions, Heritage Care, National Minorities and Animal Welfare.
Reconstruction works at the Industrial Palace of the Prague Exhibition Grounds has been in progress for three years. The burnt-out left wing has been given a new outline, and the steel structures are receiving a roofing. There is only one last year and several months left until the construction is fully completed. With the arrival of spring, works on the site are gaining a faster speed again. Workers are currently glazing the tower domes, installing the metal cladding and preparing to lay the oak floors as well. The clockwork has been moved back in its place, and its dials are also being installed. Finishing works on the tower will take place in late spring. The clock will then start striking again with the completion of the entire construction, with a scheduled expected handover date of June 2026.
"The reconstruction of the Industrial Palace is one of the most challenging projects in my responsibility. Nevertheless, I am glad that we embarked on its renovation after the devastating fire of 2008. I believe that we will complete the construction without complications, and that next year we will meet over here for the handover of the building, which will become a new landmark of the Prague Exhibition Grounds and also of Prague's cultural scene and meetings industry," says Adam Zábranský, Prague's Councillor for Property, Transparency and Legislation.
Works Continuing in the Left and Right Wings and Central Hall
"During the third year of the reconstruction and completion of the Industrial Palace, we are currently finishing the roofs on the left wing and the central hall with the clock tower. With the onset of the spring months, we will be able to intensify activities on the right wing. Here, the building, which was originally intended to be a temporary structure, has prepared a number of surprises for us during the construction work. After the necessary adjustments to the project documentation, work is proceeding according to the updated schedule. Now we are continuing the gradual dismantling of the ceiling and during this year we are planning to carry out the exterior and interior plastering and rough flooring," said David Čech, project manager of Metrostav DIZ, the leader of the contractors' association, whose members are also AVERS, SYNER and Metrostav.
Three historic chandeliers will be gradually re-installed in the right wing, with one of them now completed and two others to be back in their place just before the reconstruction is finished. The first part of the right wing is also currently receiving insulation, and carpentry works are also about to start soon. The estimated completion date for the entire roof is spring 2026.
Work has also progressed considerably in the interiors of the central hall. Here, most of the decorative elements, including the original chandeliers, have been restored. 80% of the roof is now also complete.
Two year long renovation of the stained-glass windows carried out by the Kolektiv Ateliers glassmakers is in its final stages. A total of 107,700 individual glass pieces will be assembled into 5,023 panes, which will cover an area of 2,256 m2.
"For three years now, works have been underway on the renovation of the key landmark of the Prague Exhibition Grounds - the Industrial Palace, and now it is time to begin with the business activities so that when it reopens, it will come back to live once again with important events contributing to the development of not only the Exhibition Grounds, but also of Prague as an ideal destination for the meetings industry sector. In this respect, the Industrial Palace will certainly have a lot to offer to organisers of cultural events, conferences and corporate events. Planning such events is a long-term commitment, which is why we are already presenting the new Industrial Palace at major international trade fairs and sales events," adds Tomáš Hübl, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Výstaviště Praha, a.s. (Prague Exhibition Grounds).
The aim of the project is to responsibly restore the historic building from 1891, including the construction of its left wing, destroyed by fire in 2008. At the same time, the interiors will be adapted to meet the current requirements for holding trade fairs and other important cultural and social events, taking into account the current environmental needs.
