The Czech Post has put a historic building at the intersection of Jindřišská Street and Politických vězňů Street in Prague up for sale on the public administration portal. State institutions have a 30-day window to express their interest in the property, with a minimum estimated price of CZK 1.325 billion, as confirmed by Matyáš Vitík, a spokesperson for the post office.
If no government agency expresses interest, the company will explore offers from other entities, including the Prague City Council, which has already indicated interest. Councillor Adam Zábranský (Pirates) expressed hope that the Czech Post would honor their agreement and allow Prague to match the highest bid in the tender.
The sale includes a lease agreement, allowing the Czech Post to use parts of the building, such as the roofed hall, the second-floor premises, and six parking spaces in the unroofed yard.
The Prague City Council’s interest in participating in potential auctions for the central office and other properties was approved by city councillors in June. The municipality prefers outright property purchases and is also eyeing a building on Moravská Street in Prague 2.
The Neo-Renaissance building, constructed between 1871 and 1874 and later expanded, was designated a cultural monument in 1998. It currently houses a range of Czech Post services, with the headquarters located in the side wing accessible from Politických vězňů Street. The building also boasts 1,780 mailboxes, a mix of original and modern installations, and has been the Czech Post’s home since 1873.
Last week, the Czech Post successfully sold three surplus properties in Prague’s Krč district through an electronic auction, fetching nearly CZK 400 million in total. As part of cost-cutting measures, the post office has shuttered 300 branches in the Czech Republic since July, with plans to divest its assets. The property on Na Strži Street had the highest initial asking price, exceeding CZK 310 million.
In the previous year, the Czech Post reported a loss of CZK 1.73 billion, prompting austerity measures. This year, the losses were projected to reach CZK 4 billion, prompting further cost-saving actions, including branch closures.
Source: ceskenoviny.cz
