The City of Prague will buy out the missing ownership share in the Manhart Palace in Celetná Street, which houses, among other things, the Celetná Theatre. It will pay 129 million crowns for a one-third share to a private owner. Vít Hofman, a spokesman for the municipality, told ČTK. The purchase must still be approved by Prague’s councillors. The palace, also known as the Menhart Palace or the House of the Goats, has been listed since 1964 and was built at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries.
“Co-ownership of real estate always brings some complications, which is why I am glad that we are consolidating ownership. In this case, we will acquire exclusive ownership of a property in the centre of Prague on Královská cesta,” said Councillor Adam Zábranský (Pirates).
The capital acquired two-thirds ownership of the building in 2019 after a nine-year court dispute with the Institute of Arts of the Theatre Institute. The purchase of the remaining share of the built-up area and courtyard of 1,700 square metres from a private owner will be discussed by the city councillors at their January meeting.
The Baroque building of the Manhart Palace is an immovable cultural monument and is located in a conservation area. The building was renovated between 1967 and 1977. According to an expert’s report, the city will have to invest approximately CZK 20 million in further repairs to the palace, in particular the removal of technical defects. The palace stands on the site of several older houses. The oldest references to them date back to the beginning of the 15th century.
Source: CTK
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
