The Kotva department store in Prague opened 50 years ago today and quickly became a popular shopping destination. It is an unparalleled work of Czech architecture from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s.
The Kotva department store in Prague opened 50 years ago today, on 10th February 1975. Located not far from Náměstí Republiky, the department store quickly became a favourite shopping destination—not only for Prague residents, but also for visitors from all over Czechoslovakia at the time. At the beginning of last year, the well-known department store was closed for extensive remodelling and renovation work. The building will house a mix of luxury shops and modern offices.
The seven-storey building, which opened in 1975 and has a total area of 28,000 square metres, will largely retain its characteristic shape. However, a thorough refurbishment of the façade and a comprehensive remodelling of the interior are planned. Once the work is completed, the lower floors will house luxury shops, while the upper floors will be converted into modern offices. A restaurant with a terrace is also planned for the seventh floor.
The Kotva department store is an iconic work of Czech architecture from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. It was the first full-range department store in Prague since the opening of the White Swan (OD Bílá Labuť) in 1939 and was designed by architects Věra and Vladimír Machonin. With its richly structured interior design, the building fits perfectly into the context of the diverse architecture on the border between the Old Town and the New Town.
When it opened, the department store was considered an example of a Czechoslovak luxury department store and was the fifth-largest department store in Europe, with a sales area of 22,160 square metres. In recent years, however, Kotva has faced challenges as modern shopping centres have gained popularity. The building has been owned by Generali Real Estate since 2020.
