The Bucharest City Hall recently started demolishing and dismantling a 19th century market called Hala Matache, which will be rebuilt 37 meters away, using restored elements of the original building. This will make way for the new Berzei-Buzeşti-Uranus boulevard.

The Hala Matache demolition started on March 25, despite continued protests from NGOs, which say they will continue the battle in court. The municipality said there is no connection between the demolition of the market and the approval of the zoning plans required for the new boulevard that will be built in the area. The Hala Matache has belonged to the municipality since 2010. NGOs, led by the association 'Salvati Bucurestiul' (Save Bucharest), say they will appeal the zoning plans (PUZ) too in court. The zoning plans for the area Berzei – Buzesti need to be approved by the Bucharest City Council. A debate is scheduled in April.

“We are already in court against some pre-approvals for the PUZ. When they are approved, if the court does not cancel them in the meantime, we will go to court again, because the law forbids moving the hall, and the City Hall is moving it. The law requires traffic studies and environmental approval, which they don't have […]. In total, around 12-13 elements of illegality,” according to Nicusor Dan, president of the Associationa Salvati Bucurestiul, and former candidate for the mayoral seat.

However, the Bucharest city architect Gheorghe Pătraşcu said the only victims in the Bucharest City Hall vs. NGOs quarrel are citizens, if the municipality project is delayed. He also said the metal elements and the facade of the Hala Matache are historically important and they will be restored and used for the reconstruction.

For the Bucharest City Hall, moving the Hala Matache is EUR 1 million cheaper than keeping it on its existing location and shifting the road project around it.

Hala Matache Macelarul (Matache the Butcher) was built by the Bucharest City Hall between 1887 and 1899 and is located in the Bucharest North Railway Station area. Hala Traian and Hala Matache are the only 19th century markets which still exist in Bucharest. Hala Traian has been turned into a supermarket, but its structure was kept. The Matache market building was supposed to be demolished in 2011, to make room for the boulevard, but NGO protests saved it temporarily. The building was however in poor condition, which worsened in recent years, because of construction material theft.

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(photo source: Wikipedia Commons)