Dentons has provided pro bono advice to non-profit organization Spolocnost Jaromira Krejcara to protect the cultural heritage site of the former Machnac spa house in Trencianske Teplice, Slovakia.
According to Dentons, the building is one of the most important examples of functionalist architecture in Slovakia and a unique building of European significance. “The national cultural monument is in a state of disrepair after being neglected by its owners for almost 20 years. Dentons successfully represented the Slovak Ministry of Culture in petitioning the District Court in Trencin to stop the owner from disposing of the property. The court complied with the request, and in November 2020, issued an interim measure prohibiting the owner from disposing of the property in any way.”
According to the firm, in an effort to prevent further damage to Machnac, “SJK decided to take care of this monument and take responsibility for its restoration. It approached the current owner several times in an effort to agree on the purchase of the building with the intention of its restoration, to no avail. Therefore, in the interest of protection, restoration, and preservation of this piece of Slovak cultural heritage, on September 3, 2021, the SJK filed a motion for expropriation of Machnac with the District Office in Trencin.”
Dentons’ team included Counsel Miroslava Jesikova and Associate Jan Dulovic.
