Radost: Siko renames old unions building in Prague 3

by   CIJ iDesk I
2019-05-23   07:51
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The iconic Unions Associations building in Prague 3, which was acquired by the bathroom furnishings company Siko, will be renamed Radost. It's the first official news about the fate of the building since it changed hands. The strategy is clearly to change the image of the building, which has fallen into disrepair, with just 20 percent of its outdated office space now occupied. "The name Radost ('joy' in Czech) contains an abbreviation of the old name of the building within it and at the same time contrasts perfectly with what was going on in the building in the 1960's," said Martin Louda, who is working with Vita Vala (whose family owns Siko) on the project. Built in 1932, Prague's first 'skyscraper' will have to undergo major reconstruction, but there will be substantial restrictions on what this can entail since the building falls under monument protection rules. Louda said the roof is to be repaired and opened to the public and the website Aktualne.cz reports that a cafe is to be opened there. On the lower levels, the investor will open a co-working cafe as well as a new movie theater. In the long-term, Louda says the building will be used for numerous functions, but the company is still analyzing the various options before taking a final decision.