Brownfields surrounding the historic core of Brno are undergoing significant changes right before our eyes. The Moravian metropolis is witnessing the emergence of entirely new neighborhoods with residential and office spaces. Some buildings in the vicinity of the city center are gradually being demolished to make way for new projects by developers.
Just a few days ago, preparations began for the demolition of the brutalist building of the former Prior near Brno’s main train station. The development company Crestyl plans to construct six buildings with 186 rental apartments, offices, and shops as part of the New Dornych project on the site between the station and the Vaňkovka shopping center. „Demolition will begin in the second half of November and is expected to last approximately four months. This will be followed by the construction of the new project,“ explained Jaromír Krb, Crestyl’s development director.
This is just one of several projects around Brno’s main train station as the city prepares to relocate southward towards the Svratka River. The surrounding undeveloped areas are set to become the new Jižní Centrum (South Center) district, with multiple developers involved and the city overseeing the conceptual study. For instance, J&T Real Estate plans to build 28 buildings as part of the Trio Brno project on four hectares of land. The developer envisions a future where three and a half thousand people could work near the new station, with two and a half thousand residents living in the area. „We expect to obtain a building permit for the first phase by the end of this year. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025,“ stated J&T Real Estate board member Jiří Ochetz.
Adjacent to this project, the company CTP aims to build the Nová Zvonařka project and is currently seeking building permits. The location being in a flood-prone area complicates matters, requiring the completion of flood protection measures. The developer is also constructing multifunctional complexes in other locations, such as the CTPark Brno Líšeň project on the former Zetor site and the Vlněna project on the site of the demolished textile factory of the same name.
Significant construction activity is already underway in the former Zbrojovka area, where the CPI Property Group began building another phase of the planned Nová Zbrojovka district this year. Residential buildings, schools, offices, and a cultural center are rising on the site of former arms and automobile factories near the Svitava River. The over twenty-hectare Zbrojovka area is one of the largest development sites near the center of Brno, but it is not the only one.
Brno’s development has historically differed from Prague’s. „It experienced significant growth in the 19th century during the industrial revolution. Textile and later engineering factories expanded rapidly. This is a legacy that we still carry today,“ explained Vladimír Pacek, director of K4 Architects & Engineers. „The number of brownfields in the Moravian metropolis is much higher in proportion to the historic city center than in Prague.“
For example, the former Ergon factory brownfield is being transformed into the new Pod Hády neighborhood project by the Brno developer Trikaya. The plan is to build up to a thousand apartments in several stages. According to Trikaya’s executive director Dalibor Lamka, brownfields are the fate of Brno developers since available land for development is scarce in the city.
The developer Domoplan also has ambitious plans in Brno’s real estate market, with over a thousand apartments under construction. Several new projects are in the works in the „Brno Bronx,“ the Zábrdovice district. In an area historically associated with socially disadvantaged residents, developers have been either renovating old buildings or replacing them with new constructions. Domoplan is completing the Pekárenský dvůr residential complex with 239 apartments and announced the construction of additional residential buildings in August. Additionally, Domoplan will begin construction on the extensive Brixx multifunctional complex on the border of the Bohunice and Starý Lískovec districts, featuring 409 apartments, 92 student apartments, shops, and restaurants upon completion.
The investment group Novira Estate has also announced new plans in the south of Brno, aiming to build housing for up to three thousand people, along with a school, kindergarten, and shops in a former industrial area. An urban study for the transformation of the area is underway and expected to be completed in a few months. „The industrial part so close to the center is outdated. On the other hand, we welcome the residential part. We will be pleased if the industrial, visually unpleasant and inaccessible area comes to life,“ said David Grund, mayor of Brno-jih. Like other developers, Novira Estate is dependent on the implementation of flood protection measures in the area.
In conclusion, Brno is experiencing a significant transformation with numerous development projects reshaping the city’s landscape. From the revitalization of brownfields to the construction of new neighborhoods and multifunctional complexes, the city is evolving to meet the demands of modern urban living while preserving its historical heritage. The future of Brno’s real estate market looks promising, with developers investing in innovative and sustainable projects that will enhance the city’s appeal and quality of life for its residents.