The restoration of the Palace of Industry (Průmyslový palác) at the Výstaviště Holešovice exhibition centre in Prague has been progressing successfully for three years. The clock tower, one of the most striking elements of the entire building, is now almost complete, and the installation of the clock faces is currently being prepared. The clock itself will begin to strike as soon as construction is complete, which is expected in June next year.
‘The Industrial Palace is an architectural jewel of Prague, but also a symbol of its cultural vitality and continuity. I am looking forward to the first chime of the clock after the reconstruction is completed – it will be a clear sign that Prague is ready to offer new opportunities for world-class cultural and social events,’ says Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Mayor for Culture and Tourism.
Work on the extensive reconstruction of the Industrial Palace at the Prague Exhibition Centre has now been underway for three years. The burnt-out left wing has taken shape, and the steel structures are currently being clad. There is still a year and a few months to go until completion.
With the start of spring, construction activity is picking up again. Workers are currently glazing the domes of the tower, installing metal panelling, and preparing the oak floors. The clock mechanism has already been installed, and the clock faces will soon be fitted. The final work on the tower is scheduled for late spring. The clock will then start chiming again as soon as all the construction work has been completed. The planned handover of the Industrial Palace is scheduled for June 2026.
Left Wing of the Průmyslový Palác
The entire steel and reinforced concrete structure, along with the glazed skylight, has already been completed in the left wing. The roof trusses have also been prepared, and the titanium-zinc roof covering—previously delayed due to technological constraints during the winter months—is now being laid. Only a small section of the roof around the crane is still missing, which will be completed in the second half of the year once the crane has been dismantled. In spring, the internal insulation of the roof and the installation of the wooden panelling will be completed. Work will then begin on the plaster surfaces, followed by the installation of the floor gutters and underfloor heating, before the final polished concrete slab is laid.
Right Wing of the Průmyslový Palác
Three historic chandeliers are gradually being reinstalled in the right wing. One has already been completed, while the other two will be installed shortly before the reconstruction is finished. Roof insulation is currently being installed in the first section of the right wing, while plasterboard panelling is also being fitted. In the second section, work on the steel structure is nearly complete, and preparations for joinery work are underway. The full completion of the roof is planned for spring 2026.
Central Hall of the Průmyslový Palác
Significant progress has also been made in the interior of the central hall. Most of the decorative elements have been restored, and 80% of the roof is now complete. The stained glass windows—painstakingly restored over two years by glassblowers from the Ateliers collective—are also nearing completion. A total of 107,700 individual glass pieces are being assembled into 5,023 window units, covering an area of 2,256 m².
‘We have been working for three years on restoring the main attraction of the exhibition centre – the Industrial Palace. Now it is time to prepare the business activities as well, so that after its reopening, the building will be revitalised with significant events that will contribute not only to the development of the exhibition centre but also to Prague’s positioning as a leading destination in the MICE sector,’ says Tomáš Hübl, Chairman of the Board of Výstaviště Praha, a.s.
The aim of the project is to carefully restore the historic building from 1891, including the left wing, which was destroyed by fire in 2008. At the same time, the interiors will be designed to meet modern requirements for trade fairs and major cultural and social events, with particular attention to today’s ecological standards.
