| Client | PENTA REAL ESTATE |
|---|---|
| Location | Prague 4, CZ |
| Scale | 25000 m2 |
| Completion | 2024 |
For a long time, Nuselsky Brewery was a world of its own. Closed gates, quiet courtyards, and layers of history had been settling here for decades, one upon another, creating a place that felt mysterious, raw, yet unexpectedly romantic. Today, it is coming back to life thanks to the work of CMC ARCHITECTS, who transformed this historic complex into a vibrant urban district.
Nuselsky Brewery is more than a collection of buildings. It is a layered story. Breweries are never built all at once — they grow over time, expand, and adapt to new needs and technologies. The result is an organic collage that is deeply practical, yet surprisingly poetic. In Nusle, this layering unfolds across centuries. The site’s Baroque core dates from 1694–1734, while its southern section with the brewhouse, malt houses, and cellars is now heritage protected. Beer was brewed here until 1960, after which the buildings served as warehouses and facilities for wine production. After years of decline, the site is now experiencing a new chapter. “During the transformation, we worked with the spirit of the brewery and its architecture — with every part of the buildings, their limits, character, and potential,” say the architects. Rather than opting for radical interventions, the studio chose a dialogue between old and new. The new layers of the 21st century do not erase the original ones — they sensitively complement and extend them.
In some places, it was necessary to subtract, allowing the original structure to stand out and interiors to open up to daylight. Elsewhere, new additions were needed to meet contemporary living standards. “We designed transparent layers to partially lighten the weight of the brewery architecture. We searched for a symbiosis and contrast of light and space. With respect, we adapted the form to its new function,” they add. Living in Nuselsky Brewery therefore means being surrounded by history while enjoying modern life.
One of the project’s main ambitions was to open the formerly closed complex to the surrounding dense urban fabric. That is why the design naturally connects to its context, creating new pedestrian routes and public spaces. The foundation is an east–west pedestrian axis, continuing the historic Hostivítova Street and linking the site between Bělehradská and Závišova Streets. A second, north–south axis runs through a new arcade and across a bridge over the Botič stream, connecting the area with Křesomyslova Street.
These two lines are not only circulation routes, but also the framework of new urban life. At their intersection, a central square emerges as the natural heart of the entire development. The pedestrian zone was also designed to accommodate servicing, as well as access for firefighters and emergency services.
“We complemented the collage of historic buildings with two new residential buildings, replacing later additions from the modern era,” say the architects. This new residential layer extends across the entire site. Distinctive apartments and lofts of various sizes were created not only in the new buildings, but also within the original structures, including the former kilns.
“We understood public space as a key layer of the entire project,” the architects explain. Its most important parts were divided into three symbolic destinations. The first is the central square — a generous space designed for everyday encounters as well as seasonal events, from farmers’ markets to community gatherings. The square flows naturally into the Brewery Courtyard, where history shapes the atmosphere of outdoor seating for restaurants, cafés, and the beer hall. The third destination is a retail arcade with smaller shops and services at ground level. In contrast to the livelier areas, the architects also designed a calmer semi-public residential garden in the western part of the brewery, intended primarily for residents. Nuselsky Brewery is no longer a closed world of its own. It has become a vibrant, layered neighbourhood where architecture has truly matured over time.