Construction work has officially begun on the renovation of the legendary Kotva department store in Prague, exactly 50 years after its grand opening.

The project, led by Generali Real Estate, aims to modernize the brutalist landmark while preserving its architectural integrity. The completion is scheduled for the final quarter of 2027.

Kotva, designed by architects Vladimír and Věra Machoninová, has been closed since February 1 of last year. Since then, workers have been preparing the site for reconstruction, while the owners navigated the necessary permitting process.

Modernization While Preserving a Brutalist Icon

The updated building will feature six floors of retail and services, along with two floors of office space. A key aspect of the renovation is the replacement of the façade shell, ensuring the preservation of Kotva’s iconic hexagonal structures and brutalist concrete communication towers.

Heritage Protection and Architectural Significance

The reconstruction project also involves revitalizing the surrounding area. The complete approval process, including consultations with state authorities, was finalized last July.

Alongside the original architects, the Prague City Hall’s Department of Monument Preservation and the National Heritage Institute played a role in the project’s development.

Kotva originally opened its doors on February 10, 1975, as one of the most luxurious department stores in Czechoslovakia. At the time, it was the fifth-largest department store in Europe.

The grand opening was attended by high-ranking Communist officials, including Antonín Kapek, the head of Prague’s KSČ organization, who cut the ribbon alongside the Minister of Trade.

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