Redstone will expand Šantovka in Olomouc, creating shops, restaurants, and apartments

Olomouc - The developer group Redstone plans to begin construction of the last part of the new urban district Šantovka next year on a three-hectare site near the center of Olomouc. The project will connect to the already operational shopping center Galerie Šantovka and includes the construction of several buildings with shops, dining establishments, a theater and concert hall, as well as a four-star hotel, residential area, and office spaces. The estimated investment costs amount to three billion crowns. The project could be completed in 2026. This was announced to journalists today by the founder of Redstone, Richard Morávek.

The shopping center Galerie Šantovka stands on the site of the defunct company Milo, which opened in 2013. The shopping complex has a retail space of 46,000 square meters. The developer company Redstone decided to expand it several years ago. The original plans included the construction of a four-story extension with dozens of shops and approximately 23,000 square meters of leasable space. According to architect Robert Bishop, the project was ultimately adjusted based on the changing demands of future tenants and the shopping habits of Czechs.

Instead of one large building, Redstone now wants to construct several smaller ones. This will create a new street, a promenade, and a central public space next to the Galerie Šantovka shopping center. A total leasable area of 20,000 square meters will be available in several buildings. The main street with shops will be covered. "It should be a friendly place accessible to pedestrians and cyclists," Bishop noted. The project includes a new hotel focused on families with children, a relaxation zone, and a section designated for housing.

The developer company has obtained a building permit for the original project to expand the Galerie Šantovka shopping center. According to Morávek, the official approval process for the adjusted expansion project of Šantovka could end in the first half of next year, after which there will be nothing to prevent its construction. "I believe that we will start construction work next year and in 2026 we will welcome the residents of Olomouc and its visitors here," Morávek stated.

A part of the planned urban district Šantovka adjacent to the city heritage zone is the Šantovka Tower high-rise building. Heritage experts and some specialists disagree with it, arguing that it would damage the historic skyline of the city. However, according to Morávek, these concerns are unfounded. The preparation of the Šantovka Tower project became complicated as ombudsman Stanislav Křeček filed a lawsuit against the zoning decision for its construction. Although the regional court rejected it, Křeček subsequently filed a cassation complaint, and the Supreme Administrative Court (NSS) granted it a suspensive effect. The Olomouc city hall is not allowed to issue a building permit to the investor until the proceedings on the cassation complaint are completed. According to Morávek, the NSS has not yet made a ruling. "We believe that (Šantovka Tower) will stand here," he noted.