Karlín – A colourful and lively neighbourhood,

that is not afraid of an opportunity. When, in 2002, Prague’s Karlín district was hit by a destructive flood, few would have by envisioned that in the future it would rank among the most popular and prestigious localities in Prague, where large companies would be locating their headquarters and locals would be choosing from several high-quality projects to live in. Rezidence U Negrelliho is also such a project.

Three Karlín monuments,

that are going to undergo reconstruction in the near future are Invalidovna, the Jan Žižka Barracks and Negrelli viaduct - a 1100 metre long stone bridge built in the middle of the 19th century, it was the longest viaduct in Europe until 1910. As part of the renovations, the train tracks will be reconstructed, which will significantly lower the noise pollution so that the track will be ready to connect the centre of Prague and the airport. The structure will also be carefully repaired. Work on the reconstruction project has been underway since 2009, and the actual construction work has already begun. It is slated for completion in 2019/2020.

Culture and art among the pillars

During the preparation for the reconstruction, there was logically an opportunity to use the space under the viaduct not only for Karlín, but for all of Prague. The site’s genius loci should be reflected in the current plans in the form of cultural and creative activities. The spaces under the bridge have an ideal layout for the given content: designer shops, ateliers, workshops, offices for the creative industry, salons, cafes, classrooms, bistros, galleries and bars. The space will bring a new energy and instead of being an obstacle, the Negrelli viaduct will become a grand gateway to post-industrial Karlín.

Architecture

The ground floor of the building is equipped with semi-circular portals with glass panels, in the middle of which a wooden gate leading to the courtyard is located. On the first floor, the windows are located above the balustrade parapets, framed by Corinthian pilasters and completed with a cornice with a rectangular field filled with floral decorations. On the second floor, the windows are completed by pediments, which are framed by caryatids in the bays. The third-floor windows are framed by Tuscany pilasters, over which a floral décor appears along the entire length. The fourth floor, completed later, has windows with chambranles with loops, once again with floral patterns between them.

The future

The building will be sensitively reconstructed, the goal of which is to preserve the building’s original appearance and the elements of neo-renaissance architecture in all of its parameters, such as the recovery of the symmetry of the nine-axis street-front facade.

The interior of the building will become more airy and, above all, receive more light, which will be achieved by removing the excess transoms and by effusing light throughout the entire space of the individual flat rooms. The common spaces will be dominated by pure lines and regular geometry and the original decorations of the stairwell handrails and ceilings, which let you forget the hustle and bustle of the 21st century, at least for a while. Space and minimalism reign supreme in the flats, along with earthy and neutral tones in combination with a natural parquet floor.

In the courtyard, reconstructed in a simple and mainly a functional style, you will find a true oasis of peace and quiet in the pulsing heart of the capital city. You will be able to relax and energise yourself on the comfortable benches surrounded by fully-mature and ground vegetation.