Eurovea will enhance international credit of Bratislava
The Danube embankment in the Capital of Slovakia has not yet its natural continuation in a form of uninterrupted urban development, if we consider the area below the Castle as its beginning. Its edge in the area of Fajnorovo embankment and barren unurbanised zone ranging from the Old Bridge to the today Apollo Bridge represents handicap both on a map and in reality, which does not enhance Bratislava esteem. The communist “fathers of the Capital” had already come with the idea to complement the urban line when, in 1985, they integrated it into the document called The Main Development Directions of the Capital of the Slovak Social Republic till the Year 2000. Fortunately, the time delay of its implementation became the opportunity to build a new commercial centre around the KSS press premises elevation dominant within the spirit of modern world trends on top technological, architectural and urban level.
Andrej Ďurkovský, mayor of Bratislava, Capital of the Slovak Republic, and Sean Mulryan, manager of the Irish company Ballymore Properties, laid the symbolic foundation stone of the new borough Eurovea on 7 September 2006. This was the birth of a borough dynamically developing in the so far featureless post-industrial zone, which will offer the total area of 240,000 m² of exclusive office and commercial areas, sufficient opportunities for leisure and entertainment as well as a 5star hotel and untraditional park on the Danube embankment as early as in spring 2010. It will also accommodate residential housing, which the developer expects to be a synonym of the most demanded Central European address on the Danube embankment with world class architecture respecting historical heritage of the Capital. Importance of the new zone both for Bratislava and whole Slovakia is well expressed in its name, which rose by connection of words Europe and vea i.e. route.
Business address as well as shopping destination
Eurovea will not be only the architectural accession to Europe. It is expected that, due to its strategic position close to the historical core, it will become, together with its main square, the new Bratislava centre. According to mayor Ďurkovský, Bratislava will finally use the river potential and the town by the Danube River will change to the town upon the Danube River. The centre is expected to expand from the historical core to the embankment which will finally facilitate dragging the Danube River into the town life.
The Eurovea premises consist of 10 individual buildings – three office buildings Eurovea Central, a shopping zone Pribina Galleria, four residential buildings Eurovea Apartments, a multiplex with Imax cinema, a hotel Sheraton Bratislava and a three-storeyed underground car park with 1,700 parking places. The heart of the borough will be the Central Square – one of the largest ones in Europe. Terraces will be located along the entire zone. They will, together with an embankment park, link Eurovea with the river and will also create the largest public area in the Capital. The borough will be complemented with a speed boats harbour.
EUROVEA CENTRAL – consists of three architecturally dominant buildings with efficient reception areas and flexible spacious floors, which will provide more than 24,000 m² of office spaces of the highest standard. Besides the strategic position, the developer promises “specifications, which shall also fulfil the tomorrow requirements”. Offices will allegedly reflect growing international importance of Bratislava and such prominent business address will create new attractive opportunities for renowned multinational companies which intend to establish or expand their branches in Central Europe.
PRIBINA GALLERIA (named after prince Pribina) – represents the shopping part of the zone. The shopping boulevard, which the developer considers in all modesty “the most sophisticated in Central Europe”, is designed as the main city street. Pribina Galleria will gain all prerequisites to become not only the new Bratislava vein but also the Slovakia-wide shopping destination of the highest standard. It will accommodate 150 shops, 30 restaurants, bars and cafés and 1,700 underground parking places. On the area of 60,000m², visitors will find the department store of world trendy brand Marks & Spencer (the first one in Slovakia) together Sportisimo, Kenvelo, s.Oliver, Panta Rhei, Nike, Next, Mothercare, Benetton and Sephora. Besides the mentioned 30 gastronomic facilities, the new centre will offer the Gastro Court, sport bar, roof saloon, terrace bar as well as top fitness centres.
Housing as well as flood protection
Eurovea will not represent only business and shopping. RIVER PLACE – or the residential part of the zone should address particularly solvent clients. Interiors of all 254 luxury flats – from studios to penthouses – are based on generous format laid out according to the strictest specifications. They will provide panoramic views over the river and on spacious embankment gardens. A part of the new borough shall be the 5star Sheraton Hotel with 207 rooms and a wellness club having area of 800m² including a swimming pool. The hotel will be operated by the hotel chain Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
The historical building of the former Harbour Administration known as the Warehouse no. 7 will serve after renovation as a new cultural centre on the embankment. According to architect Branislav Kaliský, author of the renovation design, the “real architectural wonder”, as the building was called complimentarily by manager of Europe Ballymore Properties Peter Bacon some time ago, will be „iconographic for the entire Europe“. It is particularly important, that an inherent part of the Eurovea development is implementation of efficient flood measures for more than 1 million Euros. The system is formed by a reinforced concrete wall protecting against 1000year flooding including a mobile lamella structure enabling to make the protective barrier by another 50cm higher.
Finally, Eurovea will integrate the new building of the Slovak National Theatre, which outdated architectural language (whether we want it or not) will be in contradiction with the newly developing neighbourhood. Future important transport junctions such as an express tram line, bus stop and harbour terminal for speed boats will be located in its close neighbourhood. However, Bratislava citizens may also see on their own eyes that the growing borough would stand up more generous scale concerning built-up volume both of individual buildings and as a whole. This fact sticks out noticeably particularly at visual confrontation with the existing older development standing in the background in the street Dostojevského.
Carcassing was completed last year
14 October 2008 – 12 months after commencement of the development – represents significant milestone for the Bratislava Embankment Borough Eurovea project: Completion of carcassing. During one year, 350 workers built premises with total floorage of 120,000 m². Building works on individual buildings continued by overcladding of buildings, assembly and glazing of windows, interior works and fastening of glass facades where altogether 30,000 m² of glass should be used. The significant architectural element of the future zone is the currently well visible glazed roof of the shopping mall, which will be covered by altogether 2,300 triangle panes. Approx. dozen of cranes disappeared from the site by the end of the last year.
“All building works at the Eurovea project run in accordance with the plan and the time schedule. Currently, glazed facades are nearly completed and windows and door are being installed. The glazed roofs and technical room located on these roofs are also nearly completed. Installation of vertical and horizontal segments of technical utility systems (power, communication, sprinklers and cooling) is under way. Last lift shafts accessories and lift cages are under assembly. Railings are assembled at staircases. The project is funded continuously and in accordance with the development time schedule. The term of ceremonial opening of the whole Eurovea premises is planned to spring 2010,” said Patrícia Hradilová, PR manager of Ballymore Properties, about the current state of development of the premises in her interview for the Stavebné fórum.sk.
Eurovea in facts and numbers
| Developer: | Ballymore Properties |
| Total area: | 240,000 m2 |
| Investment volume: | 350 milion Euros |
| Commencement of development: | 4th quarter 2007 |
| Gradual completion of development: | 2nd quarter 2009 – 1st quarter 2010 |
| Architecture and excutive architect: | A1 Respekt |
| Architecture and interiors: | Bose International |
Visualisations – Ballymore Properties