In Ostrava, a reconstruction of a skyscraper is being prepared, costing 390 million CZK

Ostrava – Ostrava wants to continue with the reconstruction project of the tallest building in the regional city. The skyscraper of 22 floors on Ostrčilova Street is planned to be increased by one more floor. The building will house commercial spaces and also 76 apartments ranging from the smallest studio apartments to exclusive duplex apartments on the upper floors. A café with a view will be located on the newly added floor. The reconstruction proposal has been prepared by studio AI - DESIGN, headed by world-renowned architect Eva Jiřičná and architect Petr Vágner, who presented it to the city's representatives yesterday.

Deputy Mayor Zuzana Bajgarová (ANO) stated that the new parking house in the area is expected to have 130 to 170 parking spaces. Its exact location is still being discussed. The city anticipates that the total costs for the reconstruction, including parking, will be around 390 million crowns. "If we recalculate and compare it with other residential projects we are undertaking, this is a price that is not out of line," Bajgarová noted.

According to her, the city leadership agreed that they want to continue with the project and implement it according to the prepared proposal. "Of course, as we have been trying for some time, we would like to have a private investor involved," Bajgarová said. The city would use a similar model as with the Nové Lauby residential project. It will offer the project and its realization to a private investor, and subsequently purchase a certain share of the apartments and parking spaces. "We expect that this will require a comprehensive project; if we are optimistic, we need two years for it," Bajgarová stated. The actual reconstruction could then take another two years.

According to Mayor Tomáš Macura (ANO), it is not yet clear how large the share of apartments that will remain in the city’s ownership will be. However, he believes it will definitely be less than half, probably around a third of the apartments. Macura is not afraid that the city will be unable to find a partner from the private sector for the project. "I am not worried that there would be no interest in this project and the apartments in it. The location is attractive," Macura believes.

According to architect Jiřičná, the studio focused primarily on the statics of the building while preparing the design. The building will not only be raised, but balconies will also be added in the corners, and for increased safety, a shaft with stairs and elevators will be included. Jiřičná stated that the architects aimed to create a building where they themselves would like to live, which would meet current housing requirements. Before the reconstruction, it will be necessary to demolish the building’s cladding, leaving essentially only the reinforced concrete skeleton, which will then be rebuilt. If the city were to demolish the building, it would cost about 80 million crowns, according to the mayor.

The building is 68 meters tall and has a square floor plan. It is constructed in what is known as the late international style. It is the tallest building in Ostrava and the third tallest building in Ostrava after the New Town Hall and Bolt Tower. It was built between 1965 and 1968. It has been used for residential purposes as well as office spaces. However, it has been empty and deteriorating for several years.