Work starts on Zaha’s Slovak scheme

Construction of the first phase of Zaha Hadid Architects’ Sky Park residential development in Slovakia has begun.

The development will create a new residential and commercial district of almost 800 homes and 55,000sq m of office and retail space in a derelict industrial area southeast of Bratislava city centre.

Hadid won a design contest for the 5.5 ha development back in 2010 and worked up the proposals with right-hand-man Patrik Schumacher.

The scheme’s first phase features three 31-storey residential towers that will deliver 786 apartments, while its second phase features a 29-storey office tower and restaurant pavilion.

The development will also deliver a 20,000sq m public park with a decommissioned heating plant designed by architect Dušan Jurkovič at its centre. The structure – now listed as a national cultural monument – dates back to 1941 and will have its façades repaired and reinstated as part of the development.

Schumacher, principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, said Sky Park would be “an important link” between Bratislava’s contemporary culture, emerging nature and history.

The scheme, designed for central-Europe-focused Penta Investments, is due to see its first phase complete in 2019.