The University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (ZČU) is selling the extensive building of the former headquarters of Škoda Pilsen in Tylova Street near the center. Since 2010, it has been used for seven years for teaching. With regard to the current and expected number of students, however, it is not meaningfully usable, and the strategic plan of the university therefore no longer counts on it, according to ZCU spokeswoman Šárka Stará. The building is now empty, but the university maintains it. ZČU assumes that it could collect around CZK 160 million from the sale.
The previous management of ZČU bought the vast building in 2010, at that time there was talk of a price approaching CZK 200 million. Until 2017, the building housed the Faculty of Health Studies, which then moved to Husova Street 11, which was vacated by the Faculty of Economics. The past management of ZČU even had a project to rebuild the former directorate, but the Ministry of Education considered it excessive, as it was created at a time when the university had many more students than the current 11,000 or so. According to the current management, massive increases in numbers are no longer realistic.
The building has four above-ground and two underground floors. It has very good accessibility to the center. “Given the location within the industrial area, this is an interesting investment, especially for light manufacturing, storage spaces or even multifunctional use,” said the spokeswoman.
The sale was preceded by a market survey of possible investors. ZČU approached renowned companies for these transactions. “Thus, it received feedback and materials for internal discussion. Now we are entering the phase when the property is offered through advertising on publicly available portals,” said the spokeswoman. The expected price is almost CZK 162 million, the final price will be subject to negotiation. In the case of multiple bidders, the price will be determined in a tender, which will be carried out by an electronic auction or organized by an auction company.
The main campus of ZČU is now the Green Triangle in Bory with all three technical faculties, the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Design and Art. Another large center is the center of the city, i.e. Sedláčkova and Veleslavínova Streets and Pětatřicátníků Gardens, where the Faculty of Philosophy and Law are located. The Faculty of Education is on Klatovská třída and Chodské náměstí, FZS in Husová Street. All objects are the property of the university.
Source: ZČU and CTK
