The Czech railway infrastructure manager, Správa železnic, has officially launched reconstruction work on the Cheb train station, a protected heritage site, as part of a project worth EUR 17.3 EUR million.
The construction contract was awarded to Berger Bohemia and Metrostav DIZ, whose bid of CZK 428 million (EUR 17.3 million) was more than 25% below the estimated contract value of CZK 590 million (EUR 23.8 million).
The work will take two years and will include the restoration of the facades and interiors of the seven-story building, as well as the preservation of the original artistic elements. At the same time, the project will significantly reduce the building’s operating costs.
Built in 1962 according to a design by architect Josef Danda, the station’s main building will undergo an extensive transformation. The central hall will regain its representative appearance through the reinstallation of the historic clock and period-appropriate furniture from the time the station was built. Specialized restorers will also restore other valuable artistic elements, such as the mosaics, stained-glass windows, and walls made of corrugated glass.
“Thousands of passengers pass through the Cheb train station every day, including tourists heading to the famous spa triangle in the Czech Republic, Germany, and other countries. Once the work is completed, they will be greeted by a unique space that will harmoniously blend the building’s historical value with modern services and bring the golden age of Czechoslovak architecture and design back into the spotlight,” said Minister of Transportation Ivan Bednárik.
The station will become a multifunctional and more energy-efficient space
The project includes replacing windows and doors, installing modern restrooms, and setting up a new passenger information system. Vacant commercial spaces will be renovated and made available to new tenants.
In addition to passenger facilities, the building will also gain new functions. A meeting room with a direct view of the station’s main hall will be set up on the first floor, designed for meetings and events. A multifunctional space with an observation deck overlooking the city will be created on the top floor.
“The modernized station building will not serve only passengers. The meeting room on the first floor, overlooking the main hall, will become an attractive venue for business meetings, and a multifunctional space with a panoramic view of the entire city will be created on the top floor,” said Tomáš Tóth, CEO of Správa železnic.
The investment will reduce the building’s energy consumption through the installation of a rooftop solar power system. At the same time, new parking spaces will be created, including through the construction of a multi-story parking garage on the north side of the station.
During construction, access to the underground passage and platforms will remain open, and passengers will have access to temporary facilities, including a waiting room, ticket office, and restrooms.
The project is co-financed by the European Union through the Just Transition Mechanism, with the grant amounting to up to EUR 6.9 million. The investment is also supported by a loan from the European Investment Bank under the “Czech Rail TEN-T and Regional” project. Together, these sources cover approximately 90% of the total funding, with the remainder provided by the Czech State Fund for Transport Infrastructure.
The Cheb train station building is protected as a heritage monument due to its architectural and historical value and is considered one of the most representative examples of postwar Czechoslovak railway architecture.
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