Reconstruction

In 2000 the Vaňkovka premises finally came into the possession of the city of Brno, which invested it in JIŽNÍ CENTRUM BRNO, a.s. (BRNO SOUTH CENTRE). In autumn 2003 the project is granted the relevant building permit and in November the demolition of part of the premises (pattern-shop, foundry and part of the core-shop) is started. In March 2004 the foundation stone of the new Vaňkovka Gallery is officially laid. In addition, Slévárna Vaňkovka (Vaňkovka Foundry) – cultural and community centre of non-profit non-governmental organisations of the city of Brno and of the South-Moravian Region, starts its activities on the leased premises. At the same time JIŽNÍ CENTRUM BRNO, a.s. completes the renovation of the former assembly hall of the engineering works as well as of the administrative building. In August 2005 JIŽNÍ CENTRUM BRNO, a.s. entered into a contract with Mediagate to lease the renovated engineering works for a gallery of modern arts. JIŽNÍ CENTRUM BRNO, a.s. obtained funds for the demanding revitalisation of both historically valuable constructions through the sale of the western part of the premises to ECE (project management company), which used the land, after pulling down the foundry, the pattern-shop and part of the core-shop, to build the social and shopping centre, Vaňkovka Gallery. The opening ceremony of the Wannieck Gallery in March 2006 was also attended by Wolfgang Wannieck, grandson of Friedrich Wannieck, who brought to Brno from Munich a family portrait of his ancestor and donated it to the new gallery.