PSN is opening the area of brownfield in Plynárenská Street, which is being transformed into the Brno One project, to the public. The company plans not only to organize small cultural and social events in the area, but also to allow private renting of the space. At the same time, the developer is also renting out the existing office space, which is currently 60% occupied. Construction, which will include both apartments and new commercial units, will begin once all necessary permits have been processed. The approval process is expected to start this year, according to PSN. The company’s goal is to revitalize the site overall so that it can offer a pleasant place to work, live and gather not only for local residents but also for the general public.
PSN has started the preparatory phase of transforming the former brownfield site of approximately 4.5 hectares, which currently consists of a set of 12 buildings, into the multifunctional project Brno Jedna. The company is now working on the development proposals for the site with architects from the renowned A8000 studio, which deals with, among other things, the preparation of development plans for large urban complexes, and thus has extensive experience with similar assignments. Its references include, for example, the revitalization of a part of Prague’s Smíchov district or the renovation of Prague’s Forum Karlín. He is currently working on a concept for the development of the neighbouring Špitálka site, which, together with the transformation of the Brno Jedna complex, will lead to the overall revitalisation of the Brno Cejl area. PSN itself has had many successful projects over more than 30 years. It is now also preparing major redevelopments of original brownfield sites, such as the transformation of the Koh-i-noor site in Prague’s Vršovice into a multifunctional project.
“At PSN we want to bring properties to life, we are not just about demolishing older buildings and building new ones. We are aware of the architectural value of some of the original buildings, which is why we will supplement the existing set of buildings in the Brno Jedna district with the missing functions, especially the residential ones,” says Petr Pospíšil, director of the PSN branch in Brno. One of the buildings that the company wants to preserve in its current form is the original storage hall of Jihomoravská plynárenská, which was awarded the title of Building of the Year.
Brno One comes to life
“This is a site that requires a number of changes, whether in relation to the zoning plan or, for example, the regulatory plan. We are now opening up the issues with the district and the authorities concerned so that the future design corresponds as closely as possible to the city’s idea of strategic development and its perception of urban planning and the area. Personally, I consider the cooperation with the city to be very good. All parties approach the negotiations in a constructive and friendly manner. We are aware of the importance of the site and therefore coordinate all planning steps with the city,” says the director of the PSN branch in Brno.
As part of the revitalisation of the area, PSN plans to organise the cleaning of the area around the site in the first place. It wants to clean both the train tracks, which are currently full of rubbish, and the embankment of the nearby Svitava River.
A place not only for happy living, but also for work
“Transforming such a large area is a long haul. As far as the development itself is concerned, we expect to start the building permit procedure later this year. In order to keep the space from lying fallow for the time being, we are still renting out the commercial units. The existing office buildings may be age-appropriate, but they still have a lot to offer. We are occupying them with other tenants to breathe new life into the Brno Jedna district,” says Petr Pospíšil, adding: “At the same time, we have decided to organise various events for the general public as part of the modernisation and transformation of the whole area. We will of course approach their planning with respect for the tenants, whom we do not want to restrict at any cost. We would like to bring the residents of Brno closer to our vision of how we will transform the site into a fresh and safe place that should become the first choice for spending leisure time, living and working in Brno. Even the current tenants praise the space and use it for various meetings.”
The complex, which currently has 11,441 sqm of offices and 5,380 sqm of warehouses, is continuously monitored by CCTV. Of course, there is plenty of parking space. Current tenants include companies such as innogy, Sysmex, TRL Space Systems, Extra publishing and others. Thanks to the strategic location and very reasonable prices, the offices are also suitable for small start-ups, according to PSN.
A district with a bright future
The Cejl – Křenová area is one of the key strategic areas for the long-term development of Brno. Within a few years, it should turn into a coherent, vibrant district with the potential to positively transform its wider surroundings. It should be followed by urban districts such as Ostrava – Přívoz or Prague’s Karlín and Smíchov, which have become prime examples of revitalising previously neglected neighbourhoods into modern, vibrant urban districts.
The biggest benefit of the Brno One project is its location almost in the centre of the city with excellent transport accessibility. The site, located near the Svitava River, is just a few minutes from the Brno Main Railway Station and several tram stops. There is a popular bicycle path around the complex. “The potential of the site is truly exceptional and comes from its location within the city centre. We have here complete civic amenities, transport infrastructure, all utilities, etc. We would like to participate in the revitalization of the Svitava waterfront, which I believe will serve as the gateway to the new Brno Jedna district in the future,” adds Petr Pospíšil.
And why Brno One?
“Our ambition is to create a project that will become number one in Brno – and the name of the new district corresponds to this. We want to be number one in housing, to provide offices and a place where people can go after work for a ‘one-stop shop’. In our concept, we therefore play with the number 1 and the DNA contained in the word ‘one’. Brno and its future are simply in our DNA,” concludes the director of the PSN branch in Brno.
Kateřina Hanušová, brand strategist at creative agency Better, adds: “We have imprinted a socially excluded locality with a confident, timeless and non-binding identity with a strong story and playfulness. We are aware of the exaggeration that the new name carries, and we enjoy it very much. We are convinced that thanks to it, Brno One will become the first choice for renting non-residential space and spending leisure time in the centre of Brno within a few years.”
