History of the Prague Congress centre

our story
How was this building born
The present day
2023

Photovoltaic power plant on the roof of PCC

In the second half of 2023, a new photovoltaic power plant on the roof of the Prague Congress Centre began supplying electricity. An emission-free source of electricity with 2,080 solar panels will cover 10 % of the annual electricity consumption. Photovoltaics as big as a football field completed one of the largest energy saving projects in the Czech Republic, which was implemented in PCC by ENESA from ČEZ ESCO.   Photovoltaic PCC (9 ) 

2017

Reconstruction

The last reconstruction work took place in 2017 and affected the technical facilities, AV technology, Wi-Fi infrastructure, digital navigation system, but also the premises themselves, ranging from the installation of new carpeting, to new furniture to the modernisation of toilets and cloakrooms.

2017
2017

Rebranding

The change of corporate identity in 2017 symbolises our transformation into an open, friendly, and inspiring place, and is proof that the Prague Congress Centre is still moving forward and keeping up with new trends. Thanks to all the changes in recent years, today it can offer a unique, meaningful, and high-quality experience from every conference, congress, concert, corporate event, or exhibition.

2017
1998 - 2000

Reconstruction

In the years 1998–2000, the building underwent extensive reconstruction and a new multi-purpose building with extensive hotel and office capacities was completed, today's Business Centrum Vyšehrad and the Holiday Inn Prague hotel, which has a total of 254 rooms.

1998 - 2000
1998 - 2000
1995

Establishing the joint-stock company

In 1995, the organisation was transformed into the newly founded joint-stock company "Kongresové centrum Praha" (Prague Congress Centre). Currently, the Prague Congress Centre remains to be a joint-stock company, in which the Ministry of Finance is the majority owner and the Capital City of Prague is the minority owner.

1995
autumn 1992

Building becomes the property of the city

In the autumn of 1992, the building was transferred to the property of the Capital City of Prague as a state-funded institution.

autumn 1992
1992
december 1989

Negotiations following the Velvet Revolution

Since the revolutionary year of 1989, the Prague Congress Centre has become a recognised site where many large international congresses and conferences are organised, as well as an abundance of cultural, social, and sports events. Just after the Velvet Revolution in December 1989, negotiations on the composition of the first post-Soviet government of Czechoslovakia took place here.

1989
2. april 1981

Grand Opening

The building was ceremoniously opened on 2 April 1981 with the presence of the contemporary president.
Also read a very interesting and engaging (czech language) interview with Engineer of Architecture Josef Karlík, one of the four authors of the Prague Congress Centre building.

2. april 1981
1981
1976

Construction commenced

It was 1976, and the construction of the Neo-Functionalist building of the Prague Congress Centre, then the Palace of Culture, had just begun. The collective of authors consisted of architects Jaroslav Mayer, Vladimír Ustohal, Antonín Vaněk, and Josef Karlík. The building was completed in 1981 as one of the largest and most modern social centres in Europe.

3. march 1976

Project Approval

Proposals for project tasks became the subject of demanding negotiations and assessments. An expert analysis was prepared for the project, in which leading Czechoslovak experts from seventeen professions expressed their comments. The project tasks were approved by the "VHMP" - the Construction of the Capital City of Prague Project Institution, General Directorate, on 3 March 1976.

3. march 1976
1976
12. may 1975

Investment Plan

The project tasks, with the effective technical assistance of the general designer of Military Project Institute Prague, which created the first document that determined the purpose and scope of the entire construction in all contexts, including the time schedule and construction costs. It turned out that if the planned cultural facility was to fulfill the expected functions, it would be necessary for the needed constructions be implemented at the same time. Together with the main building of the "Palace of Culture", it formed a set of five separate construction sites:
1st construction site
Modification of the area of the Pankrác bridgehead.
2nd construction site
Main building with all furniture and equipment.
3rd construction site
Traffic solution of the Pankrác bridgehead.
4th construction site
Long-distance underground pipelines in Prague 4 (sewer lines, power line connections, cable and other low-current connections).
5th construction site
Gas feeder including regulation station.

27. february 1975

Construction Approval

The resolution of the Presidency of the Government of 27 February 1975 approved the construction of a new building with a multifaceted social mission of national importance.

27. february 1975
1975

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