An open international contest is being held to retrofit and upgrade the former Palace Hotel in Ostrava, Czechia (Deadline: 6 June) The two-stage competition – organised by the Centre for Central European Architecture (CCEA MOBA) on behalf of the developer ANTRACIT – will select a design team to upgrade the historic complex located on a prominent site in the centre of Czechia’s third largest settlement. The £20 million (600 million CZK) project will transform the landmark building – which first opened in 1913, became abandoned in the 1990s and was later converted into a student accommodation complex – into a new vibrant city block playing a key role in Ostrava's urban and social fabric. Competition site: Palace Hotel, Ostrava According to the brief: ‘We'd like to invite you to participate in an international architectural competition as a competitive dialogue, aimed at reviving the Hotel Palace in the heart of Ostrava. ‘This building bears the marks of its era – it is a witness to changing ideals, visions, and the city's rhythm. Now, the time has come for it to become a vibrant place once again – a home for new residents, open to services and unexpected encounters. ‘We are seeking a solution that connects historical value with the needs of the present, one that understands Ostrava and the people who shape it.’ Founded in 1267, Ostrava is a large industrial city located close to the Polish border in the north-east of Czechia. The settlement is home to around 280,000 people and local landmarks include the contest-winning Ostrava Concert Hall by Steven Holl Architects. In January, the City of Ostrava launched a competition create a new €100 million (CZK 2.5 billion) football stadium for FC Baník Ostrava on the location of the club’s existing grounds which have been in use since 1959 and are located near to Ostrava’s New City Hall. The latest contest also comes just months after international competitions were announced for a new urban quarter in Jindřichův Hradec, for the €244 million upgrade of flood defences in Olomouc and to transform the disused Hotel Strojař in nearby Přerov. Competition site: Palace Hotel, Ostrava Judges will include Silvia Forlati, architect and co-founder of a Viennese studio SHARE; Pascal Müller, architect and co-founder of the office Müller Sigrist Architekten; Zuzana Bajgarová, director of ANTRACIT; and Michaela Yaparsidi, architect and project manager in HESTA Immobilien in Zurich. The contest language is Czech and English. Submissions will be judged on architectural quality, urban context, design economy and the potential benefits for city residents and visitors. The overall winner will receive a £27,000 (CZK 800,000) prize while a second prize of £20,000 (CZK 600,000), third prize of £15,000 (CZK 450,000) and a fourth and fifth prize each worth £13,500 (CZK 400,000) will also be awarded. How to apply Deadline: 6 June Competition funding source: ANTRACIT Palace 2 Project funding source: ANTRACIT Palace 2 Owner of site(s): ANTRACIT Palace 2 Contact details: karin@cceamoba.czVisit the competition website for more information