How a former banking building became a balanced destination for prime retail and city-centre offices.
The project in context
A former banking building at one of Prague’s most prominent intersections was renewed and expanded, placing prime retail on the lower floors and high-quality offices above.
In an established urban setting, the existing building and street pattern are part of the brief. The goal is not to remove that identity, but to make it compatible with a credible contemporary use.
Repositioning works when a landmark address becomes useful to the city again.
Balancing continuity and change
Placing active retail below high-quality offices gives the renewed building a clear relationship with one of Prague’s busiest commercial streets.
Heritage-led development relies on clear priorities: retain the qualities that make the address distinctive, improve the parts that limit present-day use, and integrate new work without overwhelming the original fabric.
Giving heritage a durable future
Protected buildings remain relevant when their character is supported by practical occupation, maintainable systems, and flexible spaces. Continued use is one of the strongest forms of long-term conservation.
For Na Příkopě 14, long-term relevance comes from protecting the project’s defining idea while allowing its spaces, operation, and relationship with Office · Prague historic core to respond as needs evolve.
