Two years after announcing the results of the international architectural competition, the Danish architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has finalized the detailed architectural study for the Vltava Philharmonic Hall in Prague. The project team submitted the application for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) in July 2024, which is currently under review. The next step involves preparing the approval documents to meet the schedule for an expected start of construction in 2027.
On September 11, 2024, the Prague City Council approved the updated construction costs, revised by the Capital Region Commission. The cost estimate for the project is now CZK 11.65 billion, reflecting an 11.5 percent increase from the original estimate of CZK 9.4 billion. This adjustment accounts for recent economic developments and increased prices for building materials and construction work.
Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda praised the project as a cultural highlight not only for Prague but for the entire Czech Republic and Central Europe. “The Vltava Philharmonic will be an important cultural center and a symbol of urban development in the Bubny-Zátopek area,” emphasized Svoboda.
Petr Hlaváček, Deputy Mayor for Strategic and Territorial Development, explained that finalizing the detailed architectural study represents a decisive step forward. He was pleased that the project remains on schedule and that construction is set to begin in 2027.
Martin Krupauer, head of the project team, added that the architectural study had worked out the functional and technical requirements in detail, resulting in a 13 percent increase in the size of the building. Despite the cost increase, the best financing strategy is being developed.
The Vltava Philharmonic Hall is envisioned as a national center of musical culture and art. The architectural design by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) includes the main, chamber, and multifunctional music halls, as well as a creative center. This center will house the music department of the Prague City Library, recording studios, and a study room for music literature.
For more information about the Vltava Philharmonic Hall, visit the project’s official website.
