Since 2009, Contera has been primarily involved in the implementation and leasing of industrial parks in the Czech and Slovak Republics, but the project that is more and more distinctively emerging on the former brownfield in the centre of Ostrava rather deviates from the current focus of this company.

The construction of the Organica administrative building was commenced last autumn, the underground work was completed this spring and the building began to grow up into the heights. Construction of the monolithic skeleton is currently in its second half.

Unique architectural solution

Organica is extraordinary for its architectural concept and gentle approach to ecology. The developer’s vision was realised by architects from Schindler Seko Architects. Administrative buildings usually have an orthogonal floor plan and use the division of space into right angles so that each employee gets a specific number of meters to work in. “When working on Organica, we were not bound in this way, and thanks to the circular shape, we were able to work with the interior space more freely. There is no similarly designed administrative building in the Czech Republic or Europe yet, it is an exceptional work,” says Ludvík Seko, a senior architect.

The project also meets the needs of Tietoevry, which will take roughly two thirds of the building upon its completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2023 and will use Organica as their new headquarters for Central Europe. The international IT corporation expects that some of their employees will work from there, some remotely and some jobs will be shared.

A building with intelligent systems

The concept of the building and its use can be considered timeless. The distribution of fresh air for employees will be controlled by an intelligent system, the building will manage its own heating and cooling according to the season and following the weather forecast thanks to its own weather station. Parking areas will provide charging stations for electric cars and electric bikes, and when looking for a parking space, one can use a mobile application. USB charging of mobile devices will be available on the benches located in the quiet area of the atrium. There is also a plan to use rainwater irrigation system and rooftop photovoltaic panels, thanks to which Organica will be partially self-sufficient in terms of energy.

“When we were dealing with the project at the time of its inception, we had a clear vision for Organica to be truly ‘user and eco-friendly’. How far-sighted it was can be seen now at the time of the incredible increase in energy prices, which have driven the costs of companies to ratio that no one would have believed a few years ago. The prestigious BREEAM Excellent certification, which was confirmed in the design stage,“  says Martin Budina, Project Director of Contera.

An industrial park in a brownfield

CONTERA PARK OSTRAVA D1 in the Hrušov district, Ostrava, is also prior its completion. It is situated in an area of approximately 35 ha and will offer about 151,000 sq m of industrial space, mainly for light industry, warehouses and production. The last industrial hall is currently being completed. The construction of the first expansion of the Sportisimo building will begin in the coming months, and a technology park that will serve scientific purposes is being prepared. CONTERA PARK D1 in Ostrava is currently 95% leased; large areas for rent and the total expanse of the park guarantee flexibility even in case of tenant development. The advantage of the park is in its excellent transport accessibility thanks to the proximity of the D1 motorway, and the railway also guarantees excellent connections to other regions of the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. There are many industrial zones in Ostrava that are almost fully utilized, and CONTERA PARK OSTRAVA D1 thus represents a unique opportunity for further business growth in the city.

The Hrušov brownfield was once used to house workers from nearby businesses. In 1997, the entire area was flooded, followed by its devastation, gradual depopulation and the creation of the so-called social brownfield. Contera has been specializing in the revitalization of brownfields for 12 years, and 84% of the portfolio in the Czech Republic and Slovakia consists of similar projects, and the company wants to continue wending in this direction.

There are over 100 clients working in Contera’s logistics parks in the Czech Republic. Their portfolio is very balanced and is divided into five main sectors – manufacturing (Magna, Aludyne, Malfini, BMK, etc.), logistics (VAS Solutions, DB Schenker, Esa Logistika, DHL/PPL, etc.), distribution and e- commerce (Sportisimo, FAST ČR, AT Computers, Ikea, etc.) and retail (Planeo, Rossmann, Pepco, Spokojený pes, etc.).

Bold plans for the future

There are over 10 million sq m of industrial space in the Czech Republic, which represents approximately 1 sq m per inhabitant. This is a natural development of the market, which illustrates that the Czech Republic is an attractive country for investment and business. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account that the land in premium locations is more or less exhausted and further development can be expected in the regions.

The vast majority of Contera’s projects are in the field of logistics parks, but according to Laurent Jechoux, the Commercial Director of Contera, they are also preparing projects of a different type: “In the future, we plan to diversify our activities more, especially in the office and residential sectors. Organica, which we are currently building in Ostrava, is our pilot office project – and it certainly won’t be the last.”

For the near future, Contera plans to continue the construction of all projects so that new clients can move in on time. At the same time, they are preparing several new projects in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which will soon be introduced to interested parties.

V Invest Development is completing the construction of the second phase of the Jinonický dvůr project in the Jinonice quarter of Prague.

The enclosed area that offers privacy and security will provide its residents with unique housing in 46 units with layouts ranging from bedsit + kitchenette to four-bedroom apartments with kitchenette. The underground garage with plenty of parking spaces, greenery and relaxation zones throughout the building come as a matter of course.

Sensitive renovation using old procedures

It is no exaggeration to say that the project is like living in a castle. The original site of Jinonický dvůr, maintained as a cultural monument, dates back to the 11^th century. It was devastated during the Thirty Years’ War, and in the 17^th century it was replaced by a baroque castle. Its subsequent reconstruction with classicist modifications at the beginning of the 19^th century is the work of the Schwarzenberg family, which is still remembered in the sandstone sign above the building’s entrance portal.

The current complex is being sensitively renovated due to intensive cooperation with preservationists, who were there to consult every intervention in the original appearance of the building. This helped to preserve maximum of its historical elements and constructions, such as the two-century-old trusses. “Using technology, we created a 3D model and each element in the trusses was assigned a number, which will make it possible to put back those whose condition allows it into their original positions. The rafters in the apartments will be exposed in order to emphasise the centuries-old history of the castle,” says Jan Kukla, Project Manager.

After dismantling, each wooden element is assessed statically and mycologically, and if it is usable, it is returned to its place. If it is partially usable, it is returned after being covered with new wood. Only when the beam is assessed as destroyed is it replaced by a new structure. This is made by carpenters using mortise and tenons, without metal elements. Carpenters work precisely and in the old-fashioned way during the reconstruction. Beamed ceilings and some other original building elements in the interiors of the new apartments will remain exposed.

Unique genius loci

When in the original complex, you can come across other reconstructed elements that are completely unique and give the whole project an extraordinary genius loci. Whether it is baroque or classicist supporting structures, magnificent ceilings and vaults, the original baroque portal for the staircase to the first floor of the north wing or the restored sundial. The castle’s pride is a tower with a historic clockwork, which contains original elements.

What represented a big challenge for renovation was the beautiful original fountain situated in the grounds of Jinonický dvůr, which is one of the dominant features of the common outdoor areas of the enclosed complex. Preservationists helped with the placement of the original dismantled fountain above the ceiling of the underground garages. The goal was for the fountain to work but not leak out into the garages. The only system that does not let through any moisture is the historically proven lead tub, which was also part of the original fountain, and was therefore retained in the new refurbished one, which was carefully dismantled and returned to its original place.

“Working with the preservationists was very fiddly in order to help to fine-tune every detail. But they also allowed us modern elements, for instance the frameless windows on the facade of the former granary, which filled the previously blank elements. The very modern structures thus support the historical essence of the building. The same applies to dormer-windows, where we also discussed everything with the preservationists intensively. And the situation was similar with the construction of replica chimneys, which do not serve, in their new form, to exhaust combustion products, but as outlets for air conditioning and ventilation,” explains Jan Kukla.

Modern housing in a historic complex

The Jinonický dvůr project offers units with layouts ranging from bedsit + kitchenette to four-bedroom units that are exceptional in terms of their disposition, layout and spaciousness. This is premium housing of a high standard with elements of the original architecture, which can be felt in every corner. With regard to safety and privacy, Jinonický dvůr is built as an enclosed and impassable monitored area, where all traffic is diverted to the underground. No one within the entire area will be disturbed by passing cars then. Emphasis was also placed on plenty of greenery, front gardens and relaxation zones.

Completion of the second phase of the Jinonický dvůr project is planned for the second quarter of 2023, and the currently available units can be found at www.vinvest.cz.

Pardubice will be enriched with a new commercial and social centre, Galerie Pernerka. It will be located in the ‘fore-station’ location, in the premises of the former distillery.

Galerie Pernerka will fill an unsightly gap in the city centre and, together with the railway station, create an imaginary gateway to the city. As the general designer, Obermeyer Helika completed the documentation for the realization of the construction, which will be used for the selection of the general contractor. Furthermore, they are currently working on the negotiation of a building permit and the processing of documents necessary for the rental of units. The project takes up an area of 28,500 sq m and its concept is based on the idea of a city block, which is defined by four interconnected and architecturally unique masses. Their architectural concept reflects their functional content.

A multifunctional project for all generations

The multifunctional complex Galerie Pernerka will offer not only modern premises for shops, services, restaurants and cafes, as well as a multiplex cinema and spaces for other entertainment. The complex is also to include an hotel and a multifunctional congress hall. Visitors from the public will certainly appreciate the freely accessible public areas adjacent to the building. Children and their parents will surely be delighted by the planned children’s world and the new wellness centre.

The project also includes a new cycleway surrounding the entire building from the east and north. Pedestrian safety will be ensured by a footbridge built over the busy Palackého Street. A carpark with a capacity of up to 1,200 cars will be created in the basement and on the roof of the building. A smaller park with grown trees will be created on the eastern side, which will connect the Pernerka Gallery with Palackého Street in the direction from the centre. In connection with current ecological trends, the building is designed with a green facade and also a green roof. The need for water for these natural features will be covered by the distribution of utility water from a storage tank supplied with rainwater from the roofs. Waste heat from machine cooling will be used to preheat the heating water for more economical operation of the building.

The 3D model gives a closer idea about the project

“The Galerie Pernerka project is basically a design of a new city block, which includes shops, restaurants, offices, a hotel, a multifunctional social hall, a fitness centre, children’s world and spaces for additional functions and sports activities. Work on the project has been ongoing since 2019,” informs Ing. Jaroslav Němeček, Project Manager at Obermeyer Helika. The investor of the project, Redstone house s. r. o., chose the renowned company Chapman Taylor as architects. The leasable area is approximately 50,000 sq m. “Cooperation between all parties involved – investor, designer, architects and others – runs smoothly thanks to the investor’s accommodating approach to modern technologies. Creating a 3D model of the future building in the Autodesk Revit programme allows one to walk through the building that does not yet exist virtually. The virtual reality makes it possible to see the context of the place, inspect the facade, for instance, and get a more accurate idea of the functioning of the building. Thanks to the 3D solution, the entire project is better coordinated and better controlled,” says Jaroslav Němeček.

Last year, the development company Horizon Holding celebrated 20 years of operation in the Czech residential market and this year, they plan to hand over 500 apartments to new owners.

However, they do not only focus on the construction of individual housing blocks, but they also participate in the local infrastructure and landscaping of the surrounding area of the projects. Yishay Furman, CEO at Horizon, spoke to us about their current projects and plans for the future.

In the previous interviews, you presented some of your projects, including AURA Statenice, Zahálka, Modřanka Residence and Kay River Lofts. How do they proceed?

We now successfully continue with the sales of the last phase of Zahálka located next to the Hodkovičky golf course. We just sold out all 355 apartments in nearby Rezidence Modřanka, where are only two retail units left. We recently handed over all 55 units to the clients of Kay River lofts in Karlín and 148 flats to clients at Rezidence Čámovka in Čimice, where we plan to start the next phase soon. Recently, we started sales of our project AURA Statenice with 79 family houses. This project is located near Prague 6 with parking and plots up to 1,500 sq m. Infrastructure works are already ongoing for the last year. We are about to donate more than 100 milion CZK to the village for infrastructure and other facilities as water treatment system, school, etc., up to 3,000 sq m will be designated for retail and will serve current and future residents.

You have started some other projects. What makes them interesting? And what makes your projects different from others?

As I mentioned before, we plan to start the 3^rd phase of Čámovka with 400 flats. We also plan to start projects in the city center – Rezidence Blízká in Karlín with 230 apartments and URBANIKA in Smíchov with 160 ones, with beautiful views of Vyšehrad and Prague Castle. For our projects – we always think of them in all complexity – we apply sense and sensibility for housing. We integrate parks, playgrounds for children and even pets or communal gardens. We want to contribute to the locality where we built, we consult what is best with experts. For example, this year in our project Zahálka, we finished the revitalization of Zátiší brook (Zátišský potok), where we restored its basin which was lost underground for a long time. Our projects also receive BREEAM certifications for its sustainability. We apply green roofs, drainage water systems for re-use, recuperation, etc.

Which one would you like to live in?

As I said once before, our projects are like our children. You love them all. But in this case, I would say that after living for the last 17 years in Statenice and Horoměřice, AURA to me is a great project which will welcome families and will renew and refresh the village. As there are big units with huge gardens, it will be a great neighborhood.

There is a constant demand for apartments in Prague. More mobile people buy them as an investment and rent them out to those less mobile who can’t afford a mortgage. How is this reflected in your business?

The fact that flats became expensive is a fact! But people must live somewhere so there will be buyers and if not the final buyers, so it will be investors who will lease the flats. The rents have increased dramatically in the last year. We also believe in that trend and aim two or three projects of ours to keep as flats for rent.

The end of the year is slowly approaching, when the balancing period begins. How will you evaluate this year, if everything goes according to the previous assumptions?

This year we will handover around 500 apartments in total, which is the biggest amount in the history of the company. As we celebrated 20 years on the market as a developer last year, I think it is a very nice milestone for us.

Do you have any predictions for next year? How will the situation develop?

I believe that the market can’t and will not stop. The fact that construction costs increased, plus the expensive interest rate will slow for a while the sales and the increase of the prices, but as there will be small amounts of flats in the market – they will be sold. Prague can’t stay with 2,000–3,000 flats a year and must have at least 6,000–7,000 new ones to meet the demand. Today the situation worldwide is problematic with high inflation and worries, but I guess that during 2023 and 2024 things will come back to the stage as was 2021.