The winning design of the Ostrava skyscraper could be known in April

Ostrava – The winner of the international architectural competition for the design of a skyscraper to be built in the center of Ostrava will be announced in April. This is a month later than originally expected. Five architectural firms are working on the proposals, which have been given an extended deadline to better develop the inputs and comments from the city and the investor. The focus is primarily on the transportation connections of the building, project spokesperson Michaela Vávrová said today. The building is expected to become one of the landmarks of the regional capital.

The deadline for submitting proposals is now set for the first week of March, and in April, the jury should decide on the winner. The construction is to take place in an area called Slza near Forum Nová Karolina. In the past, some councilors have criticized the project, labeling it as entirely unnecessary. The announcement of the architectural competition was included in an amendment to the contract between the city and the investor. The design of the project has changed several times in the past.

Initially, there was talk of a high-rise building with one tower aspiring to be the tallest building in the Czech Republic, then about a variant with two towers. "The high-rise building will consist of two towers. The taller tower will contain residential units, while the shorter 'sibling' will house offices, a hotel, a restaurant, a spa, conference spaces, and shops. The currently ongoing competition titled Ostrava Towers Complex addresses both the design of the high-rise building and the public space around it, as well as the related transportation infrastructure,” Vávrová stated.

The names of the firms involved in the competition have not yet been disclosed. According to Vávrová, the approved conditions do not permit this until the results are announced. However, she previously mentioned that these are studios that design buildings in world capitals and have experience with architectural competitions of this format.

Representatives of the firms had the opportunity to participate in a workshop in December with the investor, jurors, and representatives of the city of Ostrava. This was followed by another online meeting. "We, along with the other jurors, found the December workshop beneficial. That's why we initiated another online meeting before the architects begin to finalize their designs,” said Tomáš Häring, founder of RT TORAX Group, which is the investor of the construction.

The investor plans to start construction in 2028, with the completion and operational launch expected by 2032. "We are pleased that the architectural competition for the skyscraper's design is taking place and that architectural, urban, and transportation issues related to this construction are being discussed thoroughly. The new building will rise in the heart of the city, and we are very keen for it to become one of the landmarks that Ostrava can be proud of,” stated Mayor Jan Dohnal (Spolu).