Penta received permission to build the superstructure from the Prague 1 building authority in October. This has surprised critics of the project, who are concerned that the setback floor will tower over the surrounding development and that it will violate the agreements, according to which the height of the roof cannot exceed forty meters.
"There is a threat of further endangering the panorama of historic Prague and disturbing the night's peace from the terrace," wrote the opposition representative of Prague 1, Pavel Čižinský, on social networks, according to which Penta obtained the permit secretly and in record time.
Čižínský wants to solve the whole matter at the municipal council, today it is also on the agenda of the extraordinary meeting of the councilors of Prague 1. The procedure is also criticized by the representatives of the Club Za starou Praha, who are upset that the developer is using the salami method to increase the already permitted building and disturb the long-distance views of the historical center.
But according to Penta's opinion, this is nothing new. "According to the original plan, the highest roof terrace was to be private, available to the tenants of the top floor of the building. Based on participation, repeated suggestions from the public and discussion with city representatives, we backed down, reassessed the solution, and the terrace will be accessible to the public via a separate elevator," says the head of Penta Real Estate, Petr Palička.
However, for example, Deputy Mayor Petr Hlaváček, who negotiated the agreements around Masaryčka on behalf of the city, told the newspaper Právo that he did not know about the idea of putting another floor on the roof.
Penta further argues that the intention does not violate any norms. "In the Prague heritage zone, the limit for the height of buildings is generally forty meters. This limit does not apply to recessed floors or small extensions, which are assessed individually and may be allowed if they do not disturb the panorama of the center of Prague with their height or design, which is precisely the case," says Penta spokesperson Martin Lánský, and his words are also confirmed by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR).
Whether the intention is in accordance with the territorial plan was assessed by the municipal department of territorial development, which issued a favorable opinion, with which the city planners from the IPR identify themselves. In addition, the plan also received approval from municipal preservationists.
According to Penta, the facilities for refreshments and toilets should be minimal. While the built-up area of both Masaryčka buildings reaches approximately 6,400 square meters, the superstructure is to occupy 230 square meters. And since the height of the attic of the entire building, i.e. the extended golden parts protruding above the roof, will be higher than the height of the proposed superstructure, the background of the cafe should not be practically visible from the surrounding streets.
According to Palička, the public nature of the place requires that at least a small facility with toilets be created on the roof. "Hundreds of interested parties are already heading to Masarycka every day. We expect that the terrace, thanks to its attractive views of Prague Castle and the Old Town of Prague, will become one of the most sought-after destinations," says Palička.
Regarding the complaint regarding the possible disturbance of the night's peace from the terrace, he adds that Penta will discuss this with the representatives of Prague 1. "We will meet the requirements of the city district so that the surrounding area is not affected by possible noise and, in particular, that the nighttime peace of the residents is not disturbed," says Palička.
