The definitive form of the skyscraper in Ostrava will arise from an architectural competition

Ostrava – The final design of the skyscraper, which is set to be built in the center of Ostrava, will ultimately result from an architectural competition. This was agreed upon by the investor and the city leadership. The contract amendment approved by the city council today includes the announcement of the competition. The building, named Ostrava Tower, could become a new landmark of the regional metropolis.

The client of the architectural competition, which is expected to be announced by June, will be the investor, who will also prepare the competition conditions. However, part of the assignment will also include conditions that the city insists upon. These involve adherence to regulatory conditions, connection of the building to the adjacent urban structure, and integration with public space as well as transportation infrastructure. The current amendment is the fourth in order. The construction, which is to be built in an area referred to as Slza, has previously faced criticism from the opposition, which deemed it completely unnecessary. Furthermore, the design of the project has already changed several times. Initially, a singular tower was discussed, then a variant with two towers. According to Mayor Tomáš Macura (formerly of ANO), the city leadership and the investor have recently diverged in their visions. He considers the architectural competition variant to be a good solution.

"The city's intention is to avoid further changes to the project design with varying quality. The Slza location is significant for us, and the upcoming development is crucial; we now see the path of an architectural competition as the only possible way to find a lasting and quality solution for the city. We consider the architectural design of the development an integral part of the purchase agreement, as well as the commitment to the future use of the land for construction. The city will participate in the selection of independent jurors and will also have its expert representatives in the jury when evaluating proposals,” said Macura.

The amendment to the contract also newly defined essential timelines for the construction of the building and adjusted penalties in the event of non-compliance with established conditions. "We will strive to shorten all timelines and begin construction and operations as quickly as possible. However, considering the complexity and intricacy of the entire project, it is necessary to create sufficient time space for each of its phases. In addition to the complicated subsoil at Slza, we also have to deal with potential delays due to the effectiveness of the new construction law, which will affect individual permitting processes, which are traditionally lengthy in the Czech Republic. We plan to complete the construction phase in approximately three years from obtaining the building permit,” stated Tomáš Häring, founder of RT TORAX, the investor of the project. According to the investor, construction is planned to commence in 2028, with completion no later than 2032.