In Olomouc, the construction of another high-rise building is being prepared

Olomouc - The construction of another high-rise building is being prepared in Olomouc, which is to be part of the planned expansion of the BEA complex on Kosmonautů Avenue. The building is designed to be approximately 50 meters tall and its shape resembles a cone. The city hall leadership has already been familiarized with the planned expansion of the BEA complex, but they are not very fond of the proposal for another high-rise building in this location. The dominant feature of the BEA complex on the site of the former barracks is now the 74-meter-high headquarters of the Moravian University of Finance and Administration, which is the third tallest building in Olomouc.
    "The investor is considering continuing (the expansion of the BEA complex) in the coming years and has presented us with a visualization. From the perspective of design and how the public spaces are addressed, we see it as a significant step forward," said the mayor of Olomouc, Martin Novotný (ODS), to reporters today. The planned expansion of the BEA complex includes multi-story buildings of the university campus, which the councilors have no reservations about. "However, this (high-rise) building has not convinced us yet. We want to continue discussions with the investor," the mayor stated.
    Architect Ladislav Opletal from the Artera company, which is preparing the project, told ČTK today that the planned building will be called "BEA Community and Spiritual Center," and the technical term used for its shape in professional circles is a rotational hyperboloid. "This building will include, besides a hall with a diameter of about 30 meters, several floors for electronic libraries, study rooms, meditation centers, and the corresponding facilities," Opletal stated in the Town Hall papers. The upper floors of the high-rise building are planned to feature an observation platform and a café, from which there will be a view of the historic skyline of the city.
    The prepared project for the expansion of the BEA center is partially in conflict with the new zoning plan for Olomouc, which is set to come into effect in the coming months. According to the mayor, the discrepancy mainly concerns the high-rise building. "For the rest, the issues are details and it's nothing fatal," added Novotný, who believes that for low buildings or new public spaces, there should be no problem updating the new zoning plan subsequently.
    The BEA center project is backed by Tesco SW, owned by entrepreneur Josef Tesařík. Details about the upcoming expansion of the complex will be disclosed by Tesařík at a press conference on Thursday.
    Currently, two new high-rise buildings stand in Olomouc. The Regional Center Olomouc reaches 71 meters, and the building of the Moravian University stands at 74 meters. Both projects were prepared by companies owned by entrepreneur Tesařík.
    In the vicinity of the historic center of the city, the construction of the Šantovka Tower is currently being prepared, which, due to its 75 meters, would share the position of the second tallest building in Olomouc with the city hall. However, the Olomouc Regional Authority recently canceled the decision of the city’s heritage conservationists, who had given approval for the planned construction of the Šantovka Tower in the protective zone of the urban heritage reserve. Therefore, the project, which has numerous opponents in Olomouc, is likely to become complicated.

photo: olstavby.cz