Written by: David Friday
Photo: archive

With commercial, residential, and diplomatic nuances, Prague 6 boasts a population of 137,000. And at over 59 km², including the 25 km² Šárka nature reserve, it rivals some of the country’s regional cities in size.

Nová Liboc

“THE LOCATION is historically a very prestigious address, with lots of greenery and a convenient positioning – close to the airport as well as the city,” sums up Pavel Klimeš, development director for Orco Property Group, one of dozens of residential developers who have been active in Prague 6.
On the district’s outer edge, the Prague-Ruzyně airport and its scheduled growth is a boon to the commercial success of the district. The Terminal 2 extension project is one of the most important construction developments in the country. The CZK 10 billion project to meet the needs of EU-Schengen travel will almost double capacity to 10 million passengers annually.
On the district’s inner edge, Vítězné náměstí, with its radial street pattern, the effort of first republic architect Bedřich Engel, is one of the busiest hubs in the city. Sekyra Group’s involvement since the beginning of the year at this exact location is a strong sign of faith in the area: Dejvice Center is the largest single-phase development in the city.

Dubový mlýn

” Vítězné náměstí is a natural hub of Prague 6, a unique point that provides direct access to the airport via Evropská,” says Sekyra Group development director Leoš Anderle. According to him, regulations from the Engel era dictated a footprint for future urban development in Dejvice that is still being realized; the municipality’s current effort to find a co-investor for a lot on the north side of Vítězné náměstí is one example.
It’s no surprise, then, that Evropská has seen commercial success. Companies such as Siemens, Sun Microsystems, Olympus, and Abbott Laboratories have all located there.
Nevertheless, few would argue that it’s a typical business district. “It is mainly a residential, college and embassy district, but the Evropská corridor is an open and emerging area with a lot of potential, and it will continue to fill commercially,” says Radek Pokorný, managing director of Agana, which is working jointly with Czech Koal on an office scheme near the Diplomat Hotel.

E-point

Vladan Ráž from developer Viterra agrees. “The fact is that a lot of companies would have gone to Prague 6 if there was an office development established there,” says Ráž. “We know from our research that there is real demand out there for this district.” A lot of decision-makers of multinational and prosperous Czech companies live in Prague 6; fighting traffic and spending time traveling to Prague 4 and back every day is not high on their list of pastimes. Notes Ráž: “The extension of the metro for example will place a station right beneath our office building.”
Developers also point out other planned infrastructural improvements that will benefit the district, include movement of the rail line and a high-speed train linking the airport to the city center. Perhaps the only problem left is land. “For developers, it is a very attractive location since the limited supply of land here increases its price. There is almost no availability with the exception of Nebušice and the Přední Kopanina area, so it is believed that future investment will be directed to these locations,” notes Klimeš.

Developments in Prague 6 area

Developer / Project	Size	Schedule
State Project
Prague-Ruzyně Airport, Terminal 2 – /Extension – Czech Airport Authority	53,195 m2	complete 12/2005
Office & MIXED
Dejvice-Center (campus, office, retail) Sekyra Group	104,000 m2	complete Q1 2007
E Gate – Agana/Czech Koal	24,000 m2	begin 10-11/05
K2 – Euned	10,200 m2	planning
E-Point (UNIQA) – Viterra	7,200 m2	complete 11/06
Evropská City – Paleg		suspended
Retail
Šestka – TK Development Ph.I: Ph.II: retail, office, hotel	31,500 m2	begin Q3/05
Kaufland	9,600 m2 supermarket, 9,100 m2 office
RESIDENTIAL*
Podbaba Ph. II – ICKM	156 flats	complete Q4/06
Na Krutci – Metrostav
Ph.I	54 flats, 16 duplex homes	complete Q4/06
Ph.II	13 villas	begin 11/05
Nová Liboc – ING Real Estate
Ph.I	143 (blocks of flats)	complete 07/06
Ph.II	41 (in villas)	complete 2Q/07
Dubový Mlýn – Orco	5 flats, 12 villas	complete 10/05
Engel	155 flats	begin 4Q/05
Lighthouse/Aritma		future project
*selected projects

 

BUILDING OF THE MONTH While many residential developers opt for a sound marketing plan and bank on Prague 6 or the city center to guarantee sales for their projects, developers like AT Development take a decidedly different approach. THEIR RECENTLY completed project Na Zemance, the 10th by AT Development in Prague, is a good example. It completely sold out by the time it finished at prices of CZK 40,000 to CZK 70,000 per m2 with no advertising – and their project is in Prague 4. It’s fair to say that the developer prefers Prague 4, carefully choosing streets with natural benefits, often in villa districts with hills and plenty of greenery such as Podolí and Bráník. All of the company’s projects in the district have won honours in architectural competions. For Na Zemance, the company’s director, Petr Šimek, gave the designers at Šafer Hájek Architects, with whom he built up a strong cooperation over six projects, creative reign. Large windows, colour accents, varied facade planes, balconies, and high-quality materials all play a part. The ground level is pre-bolstered with extra security. Access to other units, 37 in all, is easy thanks to three staircases with lifts. There’s underground parking for 55 cars, with two parking lots out front. All of this proves the adage often told by local agents – that if you build a quality offering in a good location, you will easily sell. The developer’s 11th project will start nearby in September.

 

Photo: archiv 10 questions Kamil Kosman division director, real estate & mortgages, Česká spořitelna What was your first job? »A shop assistant in the Prior department store as a student. My favorite goods to sell were hockey sticks. How did you get involved with banking, first, and, later, with real estate banking? »First and later was the same – as a real estate banker. I was working with a developer and I switched sides when I got an offer from the bank that had financed my last project. Do you deal more with Czech people or foreigners in daily worklife? »Equally. I have days when I’m more with foreigners, and days when I’m more with Czechs. My boss and boss’s boss are foreigners, while most people in my division are Czechs. What do you most like in the business? »That you literally create an environment in which people live. You can improve the quality of their lives substantially. What do you least like? »In business and private life generally, I do not like people who break their word. What is the most difficult deal or project you have ever worked on? »Gallery Myšák. What do you think will be the next area or segment to develop in Prague? »What should develop better is the quality of residential projects in Prague. Standards still don’t correspond with price levels – pricing is driven by location. Would you describe yourself as a workaholic? »No. I keep some limits, such as avoiding the office during weekends and holidays. What is your favorite pastime/recreation/hobby? »Listening to music, tasting wine, and traveling. What is your favorite restaurant? »Le Bistrot de Marlene. Their new wine list is remarkable.