New Zaha Hadid Architects’ project breaks ground in Slovakia

The ZHA designed Sky Park, which will upgrade the derelict industrial area, is under construction in Bratislava since May 19.

Sky park is located in the southeast of Bratislava’s city center. The Penta Investments‘s project has been designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA).

The challenge is to transform an abandoned site into a new 20,000 square meters public park and community which is composed of 700 apartments as well as 55,000 square meters of office and retail space. Moreover, Sky Park is connected to the city’s tram and bus networks.

Jozef Oravkin, partner in Penta Investments commented: "Sky Park is currently one of the most important Penta projects, not only due to the size of the investment, but also due to the overall significance for our capital city, with its concept and solution of public spaces.”

The project has the objective to redevelop this derelict area while conserving architectural heritage. Indeed, the decommissioned heating plant created in 1941 and designed by architect Dušan Jurkovič is to stay at the center of the new park.

Patrik Schumacher, principal of Zaha Hadid Architects said: "Sky Park is an important link between Bratislava’s contemporary culture, emerging nature and history."

The park also features playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic sites, running tracks, sports field, dog zone and orchard.

The first phase is to be completed in late 2019 but 60% of the apartments have already been sold since the beginning of the month when they have firstly been for sale.

Two office buildings are planned to be built during the second phase of the project.