Chapman Taylor’s refurbishment of the food hall at Nový Smíchov shopping centre

Take a look at Chapman Taylor’s refurbishment of the food hall at Nový Smíchov, the Czech Republic’s most visited shopping centre, in Prague.

Nový Smíchov is one of the largest shopping centres in the Czech capitaland attracts over 20 million visitors a year, making it a key asset in the portfolio of French mall operator Klépierre. It benefits from its superb location on the very busy Anděl public transport node, which comprises a metro station, tram and bus stops, as well as its proximity to Prague’s inner ring road.

Almost two-thirds of the top floor is taken up by the new Food Avenue, which, together with the existing 12-theatre Cinema City, a 2,000m² fitness centre and a 750m² roof terrace, provides a considerable leisure destination appealing to a broad spectrum of customers of all generations. Chapman Taylor worked closely with Klépierre’s Prague and Paris-based design and leasing teams to develop a thoroughly modern and exciting F&B destination to ensure the continued success of this favourite spot in the city.

The refurbished 7,200m² food hall hosts 22 food concepts, of which 15 are new, ranging from table-service restaurants to well-known fast-food brands. Each unit has its own dedicated seating, where each brand has the freedom to express its identity, creating an interesting melting pot of styles and tastes, all held together with a strong overall design framework.

Construction started at the beginning of the first COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020, when shops and restaurants had to close for several weeks in the Czech Republic. The lockdown allowed the contractor to accelerate the construction schedule to reduce operational disruption on reopening.

This transformative project was handed over on time and within budget. Our successful refurbishment of the Czech Republic’s premier mall-based food hall for Klépierre will serve traders and customers well for many years to come.

Photography by Vlad Patru