The renovation of the Industrial Palace at the Prague Exhibition Grounds continues as planned two years after the start of the demanding work. For example, all excavation works have been completed, the basement under the left wing of the palace has been built, including the entrance for trucks, and most of the steel structure on the left wing has been erected.
The capital is completely reconstructing the 1891 Palace of Industry, including the construction of its left wing, which burned down in 2008. The aim of the project is to gently restore the historic building, but at the same time the interior spaces will be adapted to meet the current requirements for hosting trade fairs and other important cultural and social events.

"We are about halfway through this bold project and are slowly moving into the final phase. There are always unexpected challenges with such major renovations. This is also the case with the Industrial Palace. Thanks to the professional work of the builders, but also the involvement of a number of small and often forgotten crafts, it is regaining its significance and original form. In the future, the restored Industrial Palace offers unprecedented potential not only in the field of organising trade fairs, but also cultural events for the public," says Adam Zábranský, Councillor of the Capital City of Prague. Adam Zabransky, Prague's Minister for Property, Transparency and Legislation.

"So far, an incredible 60,000 cubic metres of soil have been excavated on the site, or a total of 380 tonnes of steel have been lifted on the left wing. For that, all credit. This year will also see the opening of the roofs of the Křižík Pavilions, where a huge public terrace will be created with beautiful views. Once the reconstruction is completed, the Industrial Palace will be connected to the Křižík Pavilions and visitors will be able to walk between them with dry feet, which will make the Exhibition Centre one of the world's top exhibition and trade fair venues in terms of size and overall facilities. I wish the Industrial Palace a smooth journey to the final stage," adds Adam Zábranský.

"We take care of the architectural, historical and cultural heritage of the capital, and the restoration of the Industrial Palace is proof of that. I am glad that the work is progressing, I recently saw it for myself on the spot. I hope that Prague citizens will soon see the reopening of this landmark of the Exhibition Centre and the whole metropolis," says the Mayor of the Capital City of Prague. Bohuslav Svoboda.

In two years, most of the stained glass windows have been restored, half of the steel roof structure of the central hall has been restored and the clock tower has been taken down and will return to its place after restoration. Restoration work is also continuing on the passerelle decorative elements of the steel structure and the turrets as well as on the tower of the central hall. Last but not least, the excavation of the pit behind the right wing for the future technical facilities and air conditioning was carried out.

Two years of reconstruction of the Industrial Palace in numbers:

§ a total of 60,000 cubic metres of soil were excavated and transported by 6,000 trucks

§ 500 metres of installation and technological ducts were filled in out of a total of 700 metres

§ 7 800 cubic metres of concrete were poured

§ 60 per cent of the steel structure of the central hall has been backfilled so far

§ 75 percent of the ceiling in the central hall has also been removed

§ A total of 380 tonnes of steel has been lifted on the left wing

§ the foundations were supported by 2,100 metres of jet grouting