The Czech National Bank returns to its headquarters on Na příkopě
After thirty-three months of reconstruction, the CNB began moving from its fifteen temporary office spaces back to its headquarters at Na příkopě 28, Prague 1. Reconstruction of the CNB headquarters started in June of 1997, and all CNB operations including the Clearing Centre and financial operations of the CNB Prague branch will be moved back to the new building by 30 April 2000. Three of the temporary office spaces used during reconstruction have already been vacated. The CNB buildings are situated in heart of Prague's business centre opposite the Powder Tower, and following 40 years of only the most essential of repairs, the original character and appearance of this important historical landmark has finally been restored.
The historical buildings have been used by the central bank since 1950. The complex occupies approximately the same area as Old Town Square (9.6 thousand m 2), and including banking and information technology, reconstruction costs amounted to CZK 4.8 billion.
A substantial part of the budget was used to cover the costs of the "demilitarisation zone", i.e. technology guaranteeing the security and "invulnerability" of the computer systems and other information systems of the central bank, in compliance with a European Union recommendation and the Act on information security.
The CNB complex is made up of two building units. The main building is a banking house originally built for Živnostenská banka from 1935 to 1942 according to the plans of František Roith. This building is primarily used for office space and money circulation operations. The central hall, though, will be open to the public and will house a permanent exhibit of legal tender. The second building is called the Commodity Exchange (built in 1893-1895) and was designed by Bedřich Ohmann and Rudolf Krighammer in Czech Neo-Renaissance style. The food services complex, a reading room and classrooms, as well as a congressional hall and the library are located in this part of the complex. Conference rooms will also be rented out for commercial events. The Commodity Exchange is registered in the National Directory of Historical Monuments.
The top floors of the Roith building on the corner of Na příkopě and Senovážná Streets are in use at this time. The Commodity Exchange, including the Congressional Centre and the library, has been open since December of last year and awaits an intense trial run during the meeting of the International Monetary Fund in Prague. The passageway connecting Na příkopě Street and Senovážné Square will also be opened with commercial and advertising space available for Prague businesses.
The reconstruction costs of CZK 4.8 billion include:
Construction: CZK 2.4 billion. In view of the historical significance of the complex, all construction work was carried out under the supervision of conservationists. The CNB was required to comply with regulations for upholding the quality of work and for using identical construction materials.
Technical and security equipment: CZK 1.1 billion. The old equipment was completely replaced by new systems in preparations for joining the European Union. Systems compatibility was one of the basic reconstruction requirements.
Other costs (Design and planning, construction space, etc.):
CZK 1.0 billion
Furnishings, artistic and skilled work: CZK 0.3 billion
Milan Tománek
CNB spokesman