Respect for the Place and Its History, For Current and Future Users
www.posiv.cz ǀ 51
ARCHITECTURE
Madam Director, could you briefly
introduce ANTRACIT and its role within
the PURPOSIA Group?
ANTRACIT is an international
development group whose portfolio
includes residential projects, logistics
and industrial facilities, as well as office
buildings both in the Czech Republic
and Slovakia. Industrial and logistics
developments were originally one of the
group‘s key pillars, but over time, our
scope naturally expanded to include
residential, administrative, and other types
of projects. We now offer a broad range
of solutions across various property types,
providing comprehensive development
services tailored to our clients’ specific
needs. Within the PURPOSIA Group
investment group, we have access
to strong and stable backing.
What does working in the field
of architectural and urban planning
projects mean to you personally? Are
there any specific principles you follow?
I believe that the quality of the environment
in which we live or work significantly
influences the quality of our lives. That’s
why, in both planning and implementation,
I consider it essential to respect the place,
understand the needs of future users
as well as those who already live or work
in the area, and collaborate with experts
from different fields. They help us seek
the most suitable solutions—ones that are
sustainable in the long term and, when
possible, also offer something unique.
Among ANTRACIT’s portfolio are
projects such as the mixed-use building
Václav and Vila Dvořákova. Could you
tell us more about them? Which of these
represents the biggest challenge for you
at the moment?
The mixed-use building Václav, located
in the historic centre of Ostrava, is already
under construction. Completion
is planned for 2027, and it will offer
both residential and commercial spaces.
The leasing office on premises is already
underway, with the majority of spaces now
reserved. The apartments and commercial
units will be made available next year.
Václav also enjoys a unique location –
right in the heart of Ostrava, overlooking
one of its oldest landmarks, the Church
of St. Wenceslas, as well as the river.
Vila Dvořákova is a historic urban villa
dating back to the late 19th century,
situated in central Ostrava. Following
a planned renovation and a sensitive
extension, it will be transformed into
seven unique apartments with a private
garden. Each project has its own specific
challenges – the most significant for
us at the moment remains obtaining
the building permit. I believe that in the
case of Vila Dvořákova, we are likely
to receive it in the coming weeks.
Another exceptional project for us is
the redevelopment of the former Hotel
Palace. It is an iconic building, and its
restoration will shape the future character
of the city centre – a task that requires
humility and a great sense of responsibility.
Hotel Palace is one of Ostrava’s most
prominent buildings. Why did you
decide to launch an international
architectural competition specifically for
this project?
The former Hotel Palace holds exceptional
significance for Ostrava. Since 1913, it has
been part of the city’s everyday life –
as a place for meetings, culture, and daily
urban activity. Our goal is to breathe new
life into it so that it can once again function
naturally within the rhythm of modern-day
Ostrava. We see the competition as the
best way to test our brief against a variety
of architectural approaches. It will also
help us find the best possible solution –
one that is high-quality, contemporary, yet
respectful of the building’s history.
How is the competition progressing at the
moment, and what are the next steps?
In June, the jury selected five teams
to advance to the competitive dialogue
phase. The first workshop, which included
a site visit and brief project presentation,
has already taken place in Ostrava.
The next workshop, scheduled for
September, will focus on developing
the proposals and discussing them with
the jury. Final designs will be presented
to the jury on 7 November.
How do you approach projects that
impact the historical fabric of cities?
In what way does your approach differ
from other developers?
Both abroad and here in the Czech
Republic, we see many inspiring examples
of how to sensitively introduce new
developments into historical settings.
For us, open collaboration from the very
beginning is essential – especially with
heritage authorities, architects, urban
planners, and others who understand
the context in which the project is being
developed. It’s never just about the building
itself; we also place great importance
on the surrounding public space and the
overall impact on the neighbourhood.
ANTRACIT projects often combine
high-quality architecture, environmental
responsibility, and respect for
the location. How do you bring these
values together in practice?
It’s always a matter of balance. Every project
comes with its own set of constraints
– technical, legal, and financial. That’s
precisely why interdisciplinary collaboration
is key for us.
Are there any upcoming projects
planned at ANTRACIT?
Yes, we are preparing new investments
that build on our existing experiences.
And some of them you may already
be walking past – you just don’t know yet
what they’ll become…
Thank you for the interview.
The quality of our
environment signicantly
inuences our quality of life.