Prague moves ahead with pedestrian-friendly square near Pařížská Street

Prague has selected a Danish architectural studio to redesign the piazzetta outside the Fairmont Golden Prague hotel, a high-profile public space linking Pařížská Street with the Vltava riverbank. City officials say the project will reshape a daily transit point used by residents, workers and visitors in the historic center.

The winning proposal comes from Copenhagen-based studio ADEPT, chosen through an international architectural and urban planning competition called RaumScape. The redesign aims to calm traffic, add greenery, and make the square more accessible, while respecting the protected heritage setting of Prague’s Old Town.

“This proposal naturally brings together different groups of people who will use the piazzetta every day,” said Sarah M. Whiting, dean of Harvard Graduate School of Design and chair of the competition jury. “It creates a central space for meeting and culture, while clearly defining the edges of the site in a way that feels open and welcoming.”

The competition was launched last May by WIC Prague, representing hotel owners Pavel Baudiš and Eduard Kučera, in cooperation with the City of Prague and Prague 1 district. Nearly 200 studios from 42 countries applied, making it the largest architectural competition ever held in the Czech Republic. Six teams were shortlisted for the final round.

City officials say the project reflects months of negotiation with local authorities, heritage bodies and the public. At least 3,000 square metres of the 3,200-square-meter site will remain publicly accessible, with a minimum of 600 square metres dedicated to greenery. Car traffic in the area is expected to be significantly reduced.

The project also draws inspiration from Prague’s architectural history. The name RaumScape references the concept of “Raumplan” developed by architect Adolf Loos, who experimented with interconnected spaces rather than traditional floor levels in Prague’s Müller Villa in the 1930s. The idea has been reinterpreted here in the context of an open urban landscape.

For Prague 1, the redesign is seen as a chance to improve a space long criticized for prioritizing vehicles over people. District councillor Karel Grabein Procházka said the chosen design balances everyday use with the demands of a sensitive historic location, creating a place that “will actually work in daily life.”

The estimated cost of the transformation is CZK150 million, which will be fully covered by the private investor. Construction timelines have not yet been announced, but city representatives say the project will move into detailed planning in the coming months.

Deputy mayor Petr Hlaváček said the project could become a new reference point for public spaces in central Prague. By extending the green axis of Pařížská Street towards the river, the redesign symbolically reconnects the historic center with the Vltava.

The space in front of the hotel was officially named Miloš Forman Square in October 2018. The Prague city council approved the new name earlier that year, following the death of the Oscar‑winning Czech director.