A Lebanese-led vision in the heart of Prague

A major redevelopment project in Prague’s historic centre is set to transform a long-closed inner block into a new public cultural destination. The 15,000-square-metre Savarin project, located just off Wenceslas Square, is being led by Czech-Lebanese architecture and development company Crestyl Group and is scheduled to open fully in 2029.

The project centres on the restoration of the 18th-century Savarin Palace, its former Baroque riding hall, and several protected historic buildings that have remained inaccessible to the public for decades.

A Lebanese hand behind the project

Crestyl Group was co-founded by Czech-Lebanese developer Omar Koleilat, whose leadership has been central to shaping the project’s direction. Although Savarin now sits in the middle of the city, it was originally built outside Prague’s old city walls, following the classical Baroque palace layout of courtyards, stables, and an indoor riding hall.

During the communist era, the complex was repurposed as a printing factory for a state newspaper. After 1989, it fell into disuse. Crestyl’s approach has focused on removing later additions while preserving and restoring the original historic structures.

Balancing heritage and contemporary design

The masterplan is designed by British architect Thomas Heatherwick, marking his first completed project in continental Europe. His design introduces contemporary forms that rise and fall with Prague’s terrain, while using local materials such as red terracotta roof tiles to ensure continuity with the city’s historic skyline.

A defining feature of the project is its network of pedestrian passages, inspired by Prague’s historic system of inner-city walkways. These routes will connect the Savarin complex to surrounding streets, opening a previously closed block to everyday movement.

The restored riding hall will act as the project’s centrepiece. Beneath it, three underground levels will connect directly to the metro, allowing visitors to enter the site straight from public transport.

A permanent home for Alphonse Mucha

Cultural programming sits at the core of the Savarin development. The first completed phase saw the restoration of Savarin Palace, which now houses the Mucha Museum. Dedicated to Art Nouveau pioneer Alphonse Mucha, the museum presents works spanning posters, illustration, and decorative art.

As part of the wider project, a new underground museum is being designed for the Mucha Foundation, allowing a far greater portion of its 11,000-piece collection to be displayed. Central to this expansion is “The Slav Epic”, a series of 20 monumental paintings depicting the history of the Slavic people.

Once completed, the Savarin project will reopen a neglected historic quarter and reintroduce it as a layered civic space. For Lebanese readers, the development highlights the growing role of Lebanese-linked companies in shaping major cultural projects abroad, particularly within cities where heritage preservation is profoundly valued.