The consequences of the global economic crisis, which hit head-on probably all construction segments, have logically affected the business of architects as well. It has had the biggest impact on studios that dealt with large industrial and residential projects. We talked about the current situation in architectural projects and demand for them with Ján Bahna, President of the Union of Slovak Architects and head of the architectural studio AA ateliér architektúry.

While pessimists remain immersed in gloomy musings inspired by the crisis, the number of optimistic announcements is slowly growing. As the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) confirmed, the interest of foreign investors in Slovakia is not declining, in spite of the economic crisis. The year-on-year comparison looks almost miraculous: while at the end of last August the Agency recorded 131 investment projects worth EUR 3.549 billion in total, this year the number of projects was 139 and their total value EUR 4.378 billion. A slight, yet very enjoyable increase.

Spišská Nová Ves – an important centre of central Spiš well-known by its parish church from the mid of 14th century with the highest church tower in Slovakia (87 m), baroque building in which is located the Gallery of Spiš, building of Reduta with the theatre, but also the unique Šošovkové Square (Lens Square) – one of the longest of this type in Europe. Currently this area is gradually integrating into the wider context of the municipal district Novoveská Huta in 6 km distance southwest of the town centre.

Properties worth CZK 158 billion were sold on the Czech real estate market in 2008. According to a survey conducted by the domestic firm MindBridge Consulting, commissioned by the Czech branch of the real estate franchise chain RE/MAX, this represents a total of 93,000 transactions with the average value of CZK 1.7 million.

Residential development is shaken by a crisis; however, it is just, can purge the market and provide an opportunity to strengthen market positions to the strong and the prepared – this is how Dušan Kunovský, the founder and majority owner of Central Group, a dominant player on the Czech residential market after fifteen years of existence, evaluates the current situation.

The establishment of the Czech Green Building Council was officially announced today. The Council is a non-profit organization aimed at promoting sustainable construction – i.e. construction activities that are cost-effective and environmentally-friendly. The association is open to all enterprises and institutions in the field of property development and construction, including public administration, educational and research organizations as well as finance institutions.

Perhaps like that would be easy to paraphrase an early – based on „the magic“ date tomorrow on September 09, 2009 – the opening of business mega complex on the former Mills site at Nitra. Although the beginnings were certainly not easy and simple (presence of problems with the actual demolition of the original buildings in the area), everything turned well, so Mills, a. s. – the investor and developer in one legal entity – is slowly preparing a grand opening party, for which invited people from Nitra and from not small Nitra region.

During the past weekend summit in London financial leaders of the G20 identified too much acceptance of risk and inadequate remuneration of officials of banks benefiting from the state aid as the main cause of the financial crisis. There was even calling for reform of the banking system and harder sanctions against the so-called tax heavens. Is it possible to challenge this argument or is the sector called „state within a state“ living, among others, from the accumulation of money, the real culprit?

The market will show a visible increase at the end of this year, no later than in the first quarter of the next year – says Kamil Kosman, the Director of the section of real estates funding and mortgages of Česká spořitelna. The crisis – however – even after its end – will bring some changes into the practice and life of banking houses, as well as developing companies.

The calculation of „paradoxes of crisis,“ continues. After yesterday's information about the success of HB Reavis Slovakia, which will provide in the office Apollo Business Center II space for headquarters of the important multinational company Emerson, is coming next one. Penta Investment Group – the developer of the Digital Park project in Bratislava Petržalka – signed a lease contract with the international audit and consultancy firm Deloitte, of which the Slovakian branch leased here 4 500 m2 to be able to move into one of the most modern administrative complexes in the capital of Slovakia.

Is it infinitely long or a record short? Subjective perception of time limited by one calendar month is already such. From the perspective of the overall downturn of work activities and information flow in the holiday season gives the impression that in August nothing happened. If measured by the prerequisite of fundamental reversal in the evolution of economic crisis, the reality is not far at all. However, if looking at it closer, we will find at first sight very slight „micro-moves“ that may not be for the future development and the final result so irrelevant.

Even in the traditional summer off-season of the media there has not been a longer period without some news from the realty franchising. Only during the summer thirteen offices of A-City became part of the local network of RE/MAX, Century 21 acquired eight branches of Bonus Group, the local estate agency Union Partners came up with a new franchising concept and RE/MAX has agreed with the developers company FINEP upon a wider cooperation. The realty franchising in Czechia is obviously undergoing a period of dynamic development.

In August we will take a little bit of rest, just like every year, which will obviously have a slight impact on the portal and its updating. Those used to watching our daily reports will find the news here every day. Our August break is not only reserved for our team’s relaxation and recreation, as could be implied by this holiday time, but also for the preparation of topics for our articles in autumn.

Have a beautiful summer!

Stavební fórum

There is no rule that a smaller automatically means a weaker, of less quality or inessential. Just such players in the real estate market often enliven, enrich, offer another view and complete what the „big sharks“ consider being too small morsel. For this reason we that time addressed our series of questions to Klára Čvikotová – the agent of perhaps less-known Spanish developers POSCA Slovakia and also the company KP DEVELOPMENT.