The chief executive of the developer Antracit discusses her ambitions for the contest contest to retrofit and upgrade the former Palace Hotel in Ostrava, Czechia Zuzana Bajgarová inside the Palace Hotel Credit: Image by Vladimir Prycek Magazine Patriot Why are you holding an international contest for the renewal of the Palace Hotel in Ostrava? The former Palace Hotel building holds great historical and cultural significance for Ostrava. Since 1913, it has been an integral part of city life – fondly remembered by several generations, whether as a venue for cultural and social events or as a backdrop to everyday urban life. That’s why we are approaching its renewal with the utmost respect and openness to diverse architectural perspectives. We believe that an international competitive dialogue is the most effective way to arrive at a high-quality, sensitive solution that also aligns with the expectations of investors. We view the project as one of our company’s flagship initiatives – one that will shape the future appearance of Ostrava’s historic centre, in the Czech Republic’s third-largest city. What is your vision for the future of this important city centre building? Our vision is to transform the Palace Hotel into a vibrant, open space that seamlessly integrates into the everyday rhythm of city life. We believe it can offer the kind of amenities and services that Ostrava currently lacks. We aim to develop stylish, small-scale rental housing, complemented by services, community spaces, and potentially even a modern lifestyle hotel. A key priority is revitalizing the building’s ground floor as a dynamic public space and thoughtfully incorporating historical features into its renewed identity. This is a long-term investment focused on sustainability and on creating lasting value – not only for the people of Ostrava, but for the city as a whole. What sort of teams would you like to see step forward for this unique opportunity? We would like to invite teams that think beyond the immediate task – those with the courage to approach this project with both respect and vision. We value interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together architecture, urbanism, design, and experience in the transformation of historic buildings. Equally important to us is an understanding of urban life and the ability to design spaces that serve people naturally and intuitively. We are seeking a long-term partner – someone who will accompany us from concept through to successful implementation, and help restore the Palace Hotel to its rightful place on the map as a vibrant, confident presence in contemporary Ostrava. 2025-06-01 Merlin Fulcher Share #competition #insights #zuzana #bajgarová #ostravas