Vltava Philharmonic Project Enters New Phase – Focus on Innovation and Sustainability
08. April 2025
The Vltava Philharmonic, Prague’s future national music center and a new cultural icon for the Czech Republic, has entered a significant new stage. In early 2025, the project team began preparing documentation for the consolidated planning proceedings. The building permit is expected in mid-2026, with construction to begin in 2027 and the grand opening anticipated in 2033.
Architectural & Functional Innovations
The detailed architectural study by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group) introduced major program enhancements. The number of halls increased from 3 to 5, adding a new education hall and a rehearsal space with parameters of the main concert hall – allowing for parallel operations. These updates support both artistic excellence and broader public engagement.
Green Urban Design
The project showcases a unique integration with the Vltava River, extending public space from the riverbank to rooftop terraces. A landscape concept inspired by Czech nature and Smetana’s symphonic poem “My Country” will bring water and green elements directly into the architecture. Key sustainability features include rainwater and greywater reuse for irrigation and flushing, reducing potable water usage. Roof and terrace vegetation will also help regulate indoor climate.
Budget and Financing
The revised project budget reflects both inflation and the expanded program:
- Original estimate (2022): CZK 9.4 billion (~€375 million)
- Updated estimate (2024): CZK 11.65 billion (~€465 million)
This 11.5% increase is proportional to a 13% increase in building volume and was approved by both the Prague Philharmonic Commission and Prague City Council in September 2024.
New Financing Tool: Endowment Fund
In March 2025, the City of Prague approved the creation of the Vltava Philharmonic Endowment Fund, designed to support financing through transparent public-private cooperation. The City will make an initial contribution of CZK 30 million (~€1.2 million). Governance will be entrusted to leading Czech economists and public figures, all serving in honorary roles.
Coordinated Urban Transformation
The Philharmonic is part of a broader regeneration of the Bubny-Zátory district. The City of Prague is coordinating infrastructure, public spaces, and urban planning as a single strategic project.
- Total cost of Philharmonic building: ~€465 million (excl. VAT)
- Total related city investments: ~€660 million (excl. VAT)
“This project represents a unique fusion of architectural innovation, acoustic excellence, and urban revitalization. It will shape a new cultural identity for Prague and the Czech Republic,” says Zbyněk Kovář of DELTA Group, leading the project consortium (DELTA Group – JE Group – FETTERS Management ).
