WPP: opens its new campus in Prague

25 November 2021

Zde i tisková zpráva against českém jazyce

The historically significant functionalist building on Bubenská Street comes to life as 12 WPP marketing and communications agencies make it their new home

WPP is today opening its new campus in Prague, restoring an iconic First Republic palace to its former glory as one of the most modern workspaces in Central Europe.

The move follows an extensive reconstruction by architects and curators to equip the campus with the latest technology and bring the renovated Bubenská 1 building up to high sustainability standards. WPP became the first and largest tenant of the former headquarters of Electric Enterprises and then of the Public Transport Company in the 1990s, with its 12 branches occupying 90% of the leased building (approximately 16,000 m2), of which four terraces with an area of ​​3,000 m2 (equivalent to two football fields).

WPP’s Global Campus Strategy creates inspiring work environments that bring agencies together to facilitate greater collaboration while giving clients access to the breadth and depth of WPP talent from one place. . The new Prague campus is the latest WPP campus created in the world, joining recently opened ones in New York, Mumbai, Amsterdam, Madrid and Milan, which opened in September.

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “We want to create modern, sustainable spaces that work better for our employees and give our clients easier access to the best of WPP’s expertise and resources. Our new Prague campus is WPP’s investment in the Czech market, providing cutting-edge work and social spaces. that will encourage collaboration, inspire innovation and make it a destination for the creative industries. ”

David Lhota, WPP Country Director for the Czech Republic, said: “For the WPP Campus, we were looking for a space with an irreplaceable loci genius that also allows us to work in a modern way. The Electricity Enterprises building with its strong history was the obvious choice. It means much more to us than just a head office for our agencies. The developer CPI Property Group, owner of the building, had long been looking for a major tenant for whom the renovation could be adapted in order to preserve the original concept and the architectural character of the building. We are proud to have participated in the rescue and revitalization of this world famous listed building. The WPP Campus will be a creative and collaborative workplace for our 1,000 marketing, advertising, media, public relations, data and research professionals. My vision is for the building to be alive, to be part of the local community and public space, and to be an event and meeting place for our industry. ”

The regeneration of the building also extended to its immediate surroundings, including the previously neglected underpass from Vltavská Street to Bubenská Street. The owner of the building, CPI Property Group and WPP approached local artist Petr Sokol, the so-called Lefthendr, who created an original painting capturing the spirit of Holešovice and Bubenská 1.

The two-year reconstruction of the functionalist palace
The avant-garde functionalist building designed by Adolf Benš and Josef Kříž was an architectural and technological sensation at the time of its completion in 1935, known for its astonishing spatial generosity and the use of sophisticated technologies, such as an air conditioning system. American, “Carrier” a hot air heater and a freight elevator with a capacity of 15 tons for automobiles.

The concept of the campus spaces was designed by BDG Architecture + Design – a WPP company – in collaboration with arch. Tichô. The agile work environment also allows flexibility in its shared co-working spaces on the mezzanine, the terrace, the meeting rooms and the canteen. In the atrium, just above the main reception area, hangs an art installation by Czech company Preciosa Lighting, made up of 797 hand-blown glass spheres that symbolize the interconnection and cooperation of agencies within by WPP, suspended in the heart of the Prague campus.

The quality of the sensitively executed reconstruction is also attested by the recently won Building of the Year 2021 award, which is the most important event of the year in the field of construction and architecture. The competition is organized by the Foundation for the Development of Architecture and Construction.

From electrical companies to “advertising” companies
The building served as headquarters for electrical companies until the 1950s and from 1948 to the 1990s housed the public transport company. Since then, the building has been closed and subsequently rented out to underground art groups. It hosted the popular music club Neone until 2017, where concerts and exhibitions were held. The renovation was carried out in close collaboration with environmentalists so that the unique original architecture could be preserved. Among the original features, the majestic granite staircase, the metal handrails, the cabins on the ground floor, parts of the original Carrier air conditioning system and the glass walls of the mezzanine of the staircase leading to the Saint-Antoine church have been preserved. The two original paternosters were also repaired and put back into service. In the course of next year, the listed and renovated building will also be open to the general public during open days.

More information
Kristýna Hliňáková
+420 731 131 251
kristyna.hlinakova@ogilvy.com

Niken Wresniwiro, WPP
+44 7876 005 489
niken.wresniwiro@wpp.com

About WPP
WPP is a creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build a better future for our people, our planet, our customers and our communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.