The significance of the Exhibition Grounds’ transformation lies not only in the restoration of individual buildings. Its integration with the surrounding urban fabric will also be crucial. “The area in front of the Exhibition Grounds is a major transportation hub where railroad and tram lines intersect; it sees heavy traffic of visitors, pedestrians, and cyclists, and serves as the main gateway to Stromovka Park, the Exhibition Grounds, the Grand Sports Hall, and, by extension, the Troja Basin. Today, this space is completely outdated—both in terms of its physical condition and its design—and is a rather inhospitable place. For the flow of people in front of the Exhibition Grounds to function properly, this area must be transformed into a refined, clear, and well-organized space that intuitively guides visitors to where they need to go,” says urban planner Amáta Wenzlová of IPR Prague.

From the Jubilee Exhibition to today’s Exhibition Grounds

The Exhibition Grounds were established in 1891 on land set aside from Stromovka Park for the Jubilee Provincial Exhibition. In less than a year, the Art Nouveau Industrial Palace—designed by Bedřich Münzberger and engineer František Prášil—was built here; it was the first building in the Czech lands to feature a prefabricated steel structure. During its five-month run, the exhibition drew approximately 2.5 million visitors and was illuminated by František Křižík, who installed 226 arc lamps and the famous light fountain.

In the second half of the 20th century, the palace lost its representative role. During the communist era, it was known as the Congress Palace and served as a venue for Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ) meetings. After 1989, it primarily became an exhibition space, though its technical condition continued to deteriorate for a long time. The turning point came with a fire in October 2008, which destroyed the left wing and caused damage exceeding CZK 1 billion. The temporary tent erected in place of the wing served for many years as a reminder that the complex was still awaiting a permanent solution.

The return of the Industrial Palace

The road to completing the wing was a long one. The first architectural competition for its design took place as early as 2010, but the complex was not ready for the actual reconstruction until more than a decade later. Based on a design by the firm SGL Projekt (author Vladimír Thiele), construction finally began in 2022, more than thirteen years after the fire. The project, entrusted to a consortium led by Metrostav, involved the restoration of the entire palace—the central hall, both wings, and all artistic and artisanal elements, including the historic stained-glass windows designed by Mikoláš Aleš. Although the left wing was rebuilt as a replica of the original riveted steel structure, its interior features modern amenities: heat pumps, insulation, and a new basement with changing rooms and restrooms. An underpass was also built to connect the palace with the Křižík Pavilions. The total cost of the project amounted to approximately CZK 3 billion. Once opened, the palace will offer one of the largest indoor spaces for events in Central Europe and will return to its original purpose: hosting trade fairs, exhibitions, and social events.

The Křižík Pavilions got new roofs

The four Křižík Pavilions have also been given a new look based on a design by Ondřej Píhrt and Štefan Šulek. Their concrete roofs now serve as an accessible public space featuring a running track, play elements, a snack bar, and places to relax. The greenery here serves more than just an aesthetic purpose. It helps reduce roof overheating, improve the microclimate, and retain rainwater. In total, 5,000 m² of concrete surfaces were removed and 1,850 m² were covered with vegetation. The green roof also acts as a natural rainwater regulator. It retains approximately 1,000 m³ each year, meaning the water remains on the roof, where it nourishes the plants and gradually evaporates naturally back into the atmosphere.

The interiors have also undergone a significant transformation, with a design that is intentionally neutral and utilitarian. The exhibition spaces are unified by a matte black finish, the technical facilities are designed in light tones, and the original concrete structures remain exposed. The result is a flexible environment that can adapt to various uses—from exhibitions and trade shows to television productions.

The Exhibition Grounds in the broader context of the city

A significant step in the transformation of the Exhibition Grounds was not only the new construction and renovations, but above all its opening to the public. At the turn of 2019 and 2020, the fencing along U Výstaviště Street was removed, and the area was opened to free movement of people for the first time in a long while. At the same time, this open access raised the question of how the complex should function in the long term and how its management should be structured.

Its connection to the surrounding urban fabric will also be crucial for further development, particularly to the emerging Holešovice – Bubny-Zátory neighborhood west of the Exhibition Grounds. New development will gradually change the scale and density of the area, bringing the grounds into more direct contact with the new urban district. The area in front of the Exhibition Grounds facing Dukelských hrdinů Avenue remains one of the key locations.