The best residential project is in Prague 5, shopping center in Zlín

Prague - The winner of the 21st edition of the Best of Realty - Best of Real Estate competition in the category of larger residential projects is the second phase of the Waltrovka Residence in Prague 5. The jury was most impressed by the Zlín Department Store among shopping centers. In the smaller residential projects category, the Barrandovská zahrada in Prague 5 succeeded. The Praga Studios project in Prague 8 won in the new administrative centers category. In the hotel category, the title was awarded to the Hotel Jungmannovo náměstí 1 in Prague 1. For warehouse and industrial complexes, the best project was Viapharma/Dr.MAX in Panattoni Park near Václav Havel Airport in Prague. Organizers announced the results today at a ceremonial announcement.

The decisive criteria for assessing the quality of the nominated projects were the development of the location, urban and architectural solutions including internal arrangements. Additionally, the quality of execution, success in the real estate market, and the project's consideration for the environment were taken into account. The buildings had to be completed after January 1, 2018.

For the Waltrovka Residence project, the jury highlighted the above-standard housing in the newly created urban area, offering residences of various character and with sufficient shared space while maintaining the privacy of the local residents. "The comprehensive amenities of the new quarter near the center of Prague, connected to the metro line, yet within the greenery of the adjacent park, satisfy the maximum requirements of residents," stated the jury.

For the Barrandovská zahrada project, the jury appreciated the elegant and creative use of the specific plot while respecting the surrounding development. The Zlín Department Store (former Prior) excels in its structurally and statically demanding and architecturally successful reconstruction of a unique pre-war building.

The Praga Studios administrative center won first place thanks to its emphasis on sustainability, incorporation of the latest technologies, and overall commercial success. The jury praised the Hotel Jungmannovo náměstí for its exceptional and sensitive reconstruction of the building in the center of Prague. For the Viapharma/Dr.MAX project, the jury highlighted its consideration for the environment and a number of selected technical solutions.

This year, the jury awarded a special prize to the Art Zone 8smička in Humpolec for its sensitive reconstruction and transformation of the former textile factory into a unique gallery with a café and bookstore.

The Award for Excellence, conferred by the Association for the Development of the Real Estate Market, was given to the technology and information center Cyberdog with a robotically serviced wine bar in Prague 5.

The first personality inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the Best of Realty - Best of Real Estate competition was Serge Borenstein, co-founder of the Karlín Group, which was established in 1997. "He is currently the key shareholder of the group, whose name was inspired by the Prague district of Karlín, where he left a significant mark with his successfully realized projects," the jury further stated.

The recently concluded competition is not the only real estate competition in the Czech Republic. In October, the Foundation for the Development of Architecture and Construction announced the results of this year's Building of the Year competition. Six architectural projects were awarded without distinction of rank. The Buildings of the Year 2019 are the UPO Velké Poříčí educational and training center, the DRN building in Prague, the renovation and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant on Prague's Císařský island, the Nová Ruda kindergarten in Vratislavice nad Nisou, the Ayurvedic pavilion in Počátky, and Corso Pod Lipami in Řevnice.