Former Chemapol in Vršovice: demolition underway, new apartments and urban services on the way

The future of the Chemapol area in Vršovice

In the Prague district of Vršovice, a major urban transformation is about to take shape. In place of the historic Chemapol building, a new residential complex will be developed featuring commercial apartments, rental housing, and a kindergarten. The project is being promoted by real estate developer Daramis and represents one of the most significant interventions in the regeneration process of Prague 10. The completion of the works is scheduled for 2032, marking a definitive transition from a former office hub to a new multifunctional urban neighborhood.

From a 1970s building to demolition

The Chemapol building, designed by architects Zdenka Nováková and Dagmar Šestáková, was constructed in the early 1970s as a large office complex. In later years, attempts were made to grant it cultural heritage status, but without success. Numerous renovations, combined with changes to the façade, now characterized by bright colors, have gradually stripped the building of much of its original architectural value. For this reason, the authorities did not grant landmark protection, paving the way for demolition and new development.

A project shared by the city and the investor

The City of Prague and Daramis have reached an agreement on several key points. First, the entire area will be subject to an architecture competition, aimed at ensuring design quality and urban integration. Second, the development will also include municipal land, making it possible to create a single, cohesive complex. The site forms a triangle between Kodaňská, Kavkazská, and Moldavská streets, which is set to become a new urban block. The plan includes both private buildings and a municipal residential building with rental apartments and public services on the ground floor.

Apartments, services, and a new kindergarten

The new complex will feature retail spaces and services on the ground floor, designed to activate the surrounding streets and strengthen neighborhood life. On the upper floors, modern housing will be provided for a diverse population, including young professionals, families with children, and seniors. A central element of the project is the construction of a kindergarten with four classrooms and a fenced garden, to be delivered under a planning agreement with the City. In addition, the investor will contribute 50 million CZK to the city’s budget, reinforcing the public value of the development.

Vršovice at the heart of urban regeneration

The Chemapol project is part of a broader transformation underway in Vršovice. In the coming years, the regeneration of Svatopluk Čech Square, the reconstruction of the Koh-i-noor complex, and the development of the so-called railway promenade on the former line between Vršovice and Strašnice are all planned. The architecture competition has already been announced and will take place between January and June next year. If the approval process proceeds as planned, demolition could begin by 2029, with construction completed in 2032, resulting in a modern, sustainable, and well-integrated urban block within the historic fabric of the district.

Source: e15
Image source: e15