“The building, which was originally put into operation in 1969, has undergone a comprehensive reconstruction over the past approximately 28 months and has been transformed into a modern administrative centre meeting the demands of the 21st century,” said Přerov Mayor Petr Vrána. More than 100 civil servants will gradually work in the new town hall, which houses key services for residents of the entire administrative district. “Today, we are not just cutting the ribbon on a new building, but also on a new era in the functioning of the Přerov town hall. It is an investment in the city’s future, in the quality of services and in the working environment,” said Deputy Mayor Vladimír Lichnovský at the ceremonial opening.

The reconstruction was carried out by the company VCES, which began construction work on 9 January 2024. “We are proud to have been part of a project that sensitively builds on the historical context of the centre of Přerov while bringing it a modern, functional and sustainable solution. We consider the reconstruction and reuse of existing buildings to be a key tool of responsible construction, as it significantly contributes to reducing the carbon footprint and conserving resources,” said Zdeněk Pokorný, Chairman of the Board of VCES, at the ceremonial handover of the new town hall building in Přerov. He added: “The project was technically demanding, especially regarding the original structural systems and their material and dimensional inconsistencies. Even more we appreciate that, despite an increased scope of demolition works and an extension of the construction period, we were able to deliver a high-quality and long-term sustainable solution that will serve the city for decades to come.”

The original contract price amounted to CZK 297.1 million excluding VAT. Due to necessary additional works, caused mainly by inaccuracies in the original project documentation from the 1960s and the actual technical condition of the building, the price increased after several contract amendments to CZK 352.3 million. A significant part of the costs – approximately CZK 160 million – was covered by a grant from the National Recovery Plan.

A city landmark

To select the new design of the building, the city chose a modern approach – a competitive dialogue, which allows active cooperation between the contracting authority and architects already during the design process. Five architectural teams progressed to the shortlist, and in 2021 an expert jury unanimously selected the proposal by the architectural studio Anagram&Gruppa (today GRAM), created by a team consisting of Marina Kounavi, Anne Sereine Tremblay and Jan Kudlička. The authors described their concept as an effort to create a new city landmark and a “modern form of an observation tower” that connects the administrative function of the building with public space and offers a new view of Přerov. The architectural solution sensitively combines the original volume of the building from the late 1960s with distinctive contemporary elements.

A dominant feature of the building is the façade with a staircase, symbolising the openness of the authority towards the public and naturally guiding visitors to the upper floors. On the top, sixth above‑ground floor, a terrace with views over the city has been created, where a café and a children’s corner are planned for the future. “The aim was to create an open, welcoming and easy-to-navigate authority – a place that would not feel closed off, but would instead become a natural part of the city,” said the authors of the design when presenting their proposal.
“The supplier of the interior fittings and furniture was Wiesner Hager Project s.r.o., at a cost of CZK 19.4 million excluding VAT. The interiors were designed with an emphasis on functionality, ergonomics and a cultivated working environment for both employees and visitors,” stated Ivana Pinkasová, Head of the Investment Department.

The surrounding area also plays an important role in the further development of the town hall. In 2024, the city purchased the neighbouring building at T. G. Masaryk Square 18, known in Přerov as “Hroch”, for CZK 13 million. This building will be connected to the new town hall and will enable further expansion of administrative capacity in the future. “The reconstruction of the building at TGM 16 was not an isolated project, but part of a broader concept to concentrate the municipal administration in the city centre. The purchase of the neighbouring building at TGM 18 gives us the opportunity for further development of the town hall without having to look for new premises elsewhere. In the future, we will thus be able to respond to the needs of the city and its residents,” said Mayor Vrána.

Gradual relocation of departments

From 21 May until the beginning of the summer holidays, individual departments of the municipal authority will gradually move into the new building, including the most heavily used services – identity cards, travel documents, driving licences and vehicle registration.
“With this step, we will vacate the premises at Smetanova Street 7a – the courtyard wing, TGM 1 (excluding the Municipal Police), TGM 2, and the arcade at Kratochvílova Street 14. A total of 117 colleagues from these workplaces will gradually relocate to the TGM 16 building,” summarised Petr Mlčoch, Secretary of the Town Hall. He added: “The courtyard wing in Smetanova Street is in a technical condition that has long failed to provide even basic working comfort. These are not minor shortcomings, but a building that does not meet even elementary expectations of 21st-century office facilities. A similar situation applied to the TGM 2 building, where the town hall was previously located – its condition was only slightly better.”

Members of the public will be able to deal with administrative matters in the new building from 15 June.

Public open day on 14 May

While Monday’s ceremonial opening was intended for official guests, on Thursday, 14 May, the new town hall will open its doors to the public. The open day will take place from 10.00 to 20.00.

Visitors will be able to walk through the individual floors, look into offices and meeting rooms, learn about the work of the various departments and see an exhibition documenting the course of the reconstruction. The terrace on the sixth floor will also be accessible, and at scheduled times there will be guided tours of the building’s technical facilities in the basement. The programme will include talks with architect Jan Kudlička at 15.30, 16.30 and 17.30.

Activities have also been prepared for younger visitors. From 14.00 to 18.00, an “administrative olympics” will take place in front of the building, where children can try simple tasks inspired by the work of civil servants. Small rewards await those who complete the disciplines, along with small gifts for all visitors.