On 1 March 2026, Prague city officials announced the terms of an international architectural competition organized by Nové Holešovice Development—a joint venture between the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) and private developers—to determine the future design of the development on the northern plots near the Nádraží Holešovice Metro Station (Line C). Eight selected teams participated in the international workshop. The goal of the project is to transform this Prague transportation hub into a high-quality urban environment that integrates transportation and public space.

The brief addresses the current situation, in which the site serves primarily as a transit hub and features low-quality public space. The goal is to transform it into a vibrant urban environment with improved accessibility, a clear structure, and high-quality connections to various modes of transportation. Economic feasibility and the long-term sustainability of the proposals are also key considerations. Its specific location near the metro, rail, tram, and bus stops, as well as the river and Stromovka Park, places high demands on the coordination of transportation systems and spatial planning. A key requirement is a barrier-free and protected transfer between the train and the metro, allowing passengers to change “without getting their feet wet.”

The design is to include two new city squares divided by Vrbenského Street, which are, however, intended to function as a single unit. Public spaces are to be designed, if possible, on a single level without elevation barriers and serve not only for movement but also for daily recreation, commerce, and community activities. The area is also planned to include a preschool. The workshop is by invitation only, consists of two rounds, and is non-anonymous. Of the eight participants, a maximum of five teams will advance to the second phase to further develop their proposals. The client is Nové Holešovice Development; coordination is provided by D & K Drost Consult and NORMA architekti; and the Karlín Group is responsible for organization.

The selected firms include prominent European and domestic studios, such as ADEPT, Behnisch Architekten, Cobe, Riegler Riewe Architekten, Bogle Architects, CHYBIK + KRISTOF, OVA Architekti, and Schindler Seko Architekti. The professional standards of the competition are guaranteed by an international jury composed of architects, urban planners, and representatives of the public administration and the investor. Proposals for the first round were submitted in May 2026, and their presentations took place in early June. The results of the competition were announced in September 2026.

The winner of the international competition workshop for the transformation of the area around the metro station and Holešovice Train Station was the Czech architectural firm CHYBIK+KRISTOF ASSOCIATED ARCHITECTS s.r.o. The decision was made by an international jury led by German urban planner Jörn Walter. The 83,000-square-meter area is set to be transformed from a predominantly transit-oriented and underutilized space into a fully-fledged urban district with new squares, shops, and a landmark high-rise building.

The winning design is based on integrating transportation infrastructure with new public spaces. Jörn Walter, the jury chair, highlighted three key elements of the concept in particular: arched halls for easy transfers between trains, the metro, buses, and trams; the use of space along the railway viaduct for cultural and commercial purposes; and a rotated high-rise building designed to create a clearly recognizable landmark in the area.

The basis of the urban design solution is to preserve quick, “dry-foot” transfers while creating an attractive environment with central focal points. The project includes two new public squares, each covering an area of at least 3,500 square meters and separated from one another by Vrbenského Street. The site will feature a diverse mix of developments, including residential units, offices, shops and services, a hotel, studios, and a preschool.

According to the designers, Nové Holešovice aims to combine the needs of a busy transportation hub with a place where people can spend their free time. “Our design therefore combines two seemingly contradictory qualities of the neighborhood: it preserves quick and intuitive transfers between trains, the metro, and trams, while also creating a square with a destination-like character, giving people a reason to stay in the area,” say the founders of the winning studio, Ondřej Chybík and Michal Krištof.

The project area covers 83,000 square meters, and virtually all existing buildings there will be demolished. Construction could begin within five years.