With Respect for Both History and the Future
www.posiv.cz ǀ 33
ARCHITECTURE
Many major developers focus on Prague. Antracit
works on projects across the Czech Republic
and Slovakia, with quite a few in Ostrava. What
makes development in Ostrava unique?
In general, a large number of projects today are being
built outside city limits. In Ostrava, there is the unique
opportunity to build right in the historic core, where
many unused plots and historical buildings that have
lost their function still remain. We have the chance
to bring them back to life. On the other hand, these
projects are usually more costly, require longer
preparation, and demand the ability to balance them
with the expectations of the Ostrava market. Every city
is different.
Where do you see the greatest opportunities
in Ostrava from a developer’s perspective?
I see the greatest opportunities in those projects that
combine spaces for living and business. At the same
time, they should offer solutions and services that
Ostrava still lacks. Examples include our current projects
– the Václav multifunctional building, which fills in a gap
site in the city centre, and the reconstruction of the
former Hotel Palace complex and Villa Dvořákova,
which will restore dilapidated historic buildings.
At the end of last year, you purchased the derelict
Hotel Palace in Ostrava. What are your plans for it?
What stage is the project in now, and when might
construction begin?
Hotel Palace is an iconic building, and we want it to
once again become a natural part of city life. That
is why we launched an international architectural
competition to bring forward the best possible
solution. Five teams were shortlisted by the jury from
89 studios from around the world. The finalists are now
working on their proposals, and in November we will
know the results. After that, we will refine the project
and construction schedule. Our ambition is for
the Palace to come back to life as soon as possible.
Individual spaces will therefore be realised in phases,
with full completion planned by 2030.
Another of your projects is also rising in Ostrava’s
historic centre – the Václav multifunctional building.
When will it welcome its first tenants?
Tenants are already reserving their spaces – leasing
of office space is under way, and a one third has
already been taken. Attractive retail units are available
on the ground floor. The apartments will be offered
from 2026, with final completion scheduled for 2027.
Another significant project in the centre of Ostrava
is the reconstruction of the historic Villa Dvořákova.
Yes, the restoration of this late 19th-century villa
is a beautiful example of sensitively combining
historical architecture with modern housing
requirements. It will offer eight exclusive apartments
with a private garden, covered parking, and designer
interiors. The apartments are already available for sale
– for many buyers, they also represent a valuable long-
term investment.
In construction today, sustainability and ESG principles
are often mentioned. What does this mean specifically
for Antracit?
It is a principle that we agree with and are happy
to support. We prefer the use of brownfield sites –
some examples we have already mentioned. But we
also transform old industrial complexes into new
business environments, such as those in Ústí nad Labem
and Plzeň. Within individual projects, we strive to apply
energy-saving measures, heat pumps, photovoltaic
systems, and more. We also see great potential
in modern technologies that are more environmentally
friendly. However, we believe it is important that this
topic is always approached in a practical way – so that
in a given building it truly makes sense. In any case,
it is a major focus across our entire investment holding,
PURPOSIA Group, of which Antracit is a part of.
Does the effort towards sustainability and doing
business according to ESG principles bring higher
costs? Or do the positives clearly outweigh them?
We see it as an investment in the future, and from this
perspective the positives prevail. However, yes, many
of these measures do involve higher costs, and it is not
always the case that they will be recovered in future
operations. For now, sustainability appeals mainly
to that part of our clients who consider it important
and are willing to accept the higher costs. It is more
of a long-distance run than a sprint.
Thank you for the interview.
In Ostrava, there is the unique
opportunity to build right in the historic
core, where many historical buildings
that have lost their funcon sll remain.