The ambitious project to complete the Šantovka site was presented to the public by the REDSTONE development group in cooperation with Šantovka Holding. The plan, which will transform the area into a new modern district called Šantovka District and takes into account the latest trends in contemporary architecture and urban planning, was presented by British architect Robert Bishop from StudioN together with architect Martin Krupauer from A8000. Richard Morávek, founder of the Redstone group, expressed his conviction that the new district will become the modern heart of Olomouc, a popular meeting place for Olomouc residents and an attractive destination for domestic and foreign visitors to the city. The investor plans to start construction next year.
The development of the former brownfield site of the Milo chemical factory began with the construction of the Galerie Šantovka shopping and social center, which opened ten years ago. Parallel to Galerie Šantovka, a new tram line to the Nové sady housing estate was also put into operation. On the peninsula between the Morava River and Mlýnský Creek, the buildings of the exclusive Šantovka Living residential project are currently growing rapidly. Now it is time for the final stage of the area's completion. Opposite the existing commercial and social center on the other bank of Mlýnský potok, a whole series of new buildings and public spaces are to be created, a welcoming urban space with a wide range of functions. "We are responding to the latest trends in society. Customers are changing their preferences, behavior patterns, and value systems. The COVID pandemic has brought significant changes, and the functioning of the economy is also changing. We are trying to take into account the high demands on the environmental dimension of the project," explained architect Robert Bishop at the outset. In the past, retail projects, large monofunctional and monolithic buildings, were built on the outskirts of cities with a focus on car traffic. “Our philosophy is to create places for people, a pleasant urban environment with separate buildings, lively streets, and squares. An urban space for all aspects of human life and contemporary lifestyles,” added Robert Bishop, winner of the UNESCO award for the Prado project in Marseille, explaining the conceptual basis of the project. "The river that flows through the Šantovka area is an important part of the city, contributing to a pleasant climate and providing opportunities for leisure activities and quiet coffee breaks on the riverbank. We want to create a lively riverbank that will lay the foundation for the future completion of a long, barrier-free corridor along the river, connecting the center of Olomouc with the southern suburbs of the city," added Martin Krupauer, highlighting another important dimension of the project. The basic feature of the project is its openness and airiness. The area is connected to the Šantovka Gallery by footbridges over the Mlýnský potok stream. The square, as the central public space, complements the network of streets with a lively parterre. The open facades of the buildings invite visitors into a unique covered main street that can be used all year round, regardless of the weather. “We will remove the barriers between the interior and exterior and connect all indoor and outdoor activities on the principle of convergence,” Robert Bishop summarized the philosophy of the project. Šantovka DistrictThe new part of the city sensitively connects to the Mlýnský potok stream, on the banks of which it creates the lively Šantovka River embankment, giving people access to water, a key element for a high-quality urban environment. The Šantovka Foodie section, with its stylish restaurants and pubs, will contribute to the expansion of high-quality gastronomy in Olomouc. The central public space of the new district will be Šantovka Amfi Square, which will allow for a variety of events to be held throughout the year (concerts, public skating, street food, fresh market). Šantovka Mall will expand the range of shops and services in the area with additional attractive units. The cultural and social dimension of the project is provided by Šantovka Hall, a multifunctional hall inspired by the Forum Karlín project in Prague, which will offer space for theater, musicals, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and social events. Plenty of entertainment and activities will be provided by Šantovka Play, a leisure zone for all ages with a range of attractions (climbing walls, trampoline area, etc.). The destination dimension of the location will be underlined by a four-star hotel from the AC Hotels by Marriott chain. The project also includes the Šantovka Apartments residential complex and the Šantovka Workcenter, which will provide space for offices, businesses, and educational activities. The dominant feature of the location will be the Šantovka Tower, which will offer the public a unique view of the historic center of Olomouc from its top. "I would like to thank all my colleagues and co-workers from our team for their excellent cooperation in creating the vision for a new city district. Now we have another task ahead of us: to turn the dream of a modern heart of Olomouc into reality. We would like to start construction in 2024. I believe that by 2026, we will be able to invite the residents of Olomouc and visitors to the city to this beautiful and attractive new environment," concluded Richard Morávek, founder of the Redstone Group, at the press conference.
