The reconstruction of the skyscraper Černá perla in Ostrava's Poruba has begun

Ostrava – A large-scale renovation of the ten-story high-rise building named Black Pearl has begun in the Ostrava district of Poruba. According to current estimates, the repair costs are around 120 million crowns. After their completion, the entire building is expected to be used by the private healthcare facility Moravian Premium Care. This was stated by architect David Kotek to reporters today.

The building was constructed in 1970 in the so-called Brussels style, a time when architects in communist Czechoslovakia sought a new visual style after the period of Stalinist socialist realism. The name is derived from the phenomenal success of Czechoslovakia’s participation in the World Expo EXPO 58 in Brussels.

The building got its name Black Pearl due to its glass facade with black infills. This dominant color is expected to be preserved according to Kotek, with the only difference being that the black glass will be replaced with photovoltaic panels. Thus, the entire facade will become a power plant, producing around ten megawatt hours of electricity. "As a result, the energy-intensive operation of the healthcare facility will be approximately 30 percent independent," Kotek stated.

The facade as a power plant will not be the only ecological feature of the renovation, according to him. "We are also considering a lift in the Black Pearl that regenerates electric energy," Kotek said. After previous experience, he didn’t want to design another dark building. "But the Pearl is love and with photovoltaics its black facade gains a completely new dimension," he explained his change of stance.

The building was constructed by the then Research Institute and was very innovative for its time. "Many innovative solutions were used in the construction," added the architect, noting that the building is in very good condition. "It’s a good and solid house, it is healthy," he stated. He added that it had not been used in the last five years and had deteriorated. Future renovations are also planned for the adjacent smaller buildings.

From April next year, the high-rise building is expected to be used by doctors from the private clinic. "The clinic will be the general tenant. We will utilize all the spaces," said Helena Ruszová, the general manager of Moravian Premium Care. The building will house a dozen specialist doctors, including a pediatrician, cardiologist, and general practitioner.

The mayor of Poruba, Lucie Baránková, stated that this is a significant location for the district and the renovation of the Black Pearl will initiate its further development. The municipal office has additional plans for the area surrounding the building. For example, it wants to demolish nearby garages, which it is gradually purchasing from their owners. "We want to connect the area, clear it, and prepare for further development," said the mayor. A nearby bus depot is also expected to move; this area is also intended for new use in the future.

The owner of the Black Pearl is the company Mirtess. "I have long walked past the Black Pearl and told myself that such an interesting building cannot deteriorate, until we finally decided to bring it back to life. Once we found a general tenant willing to build a modern clinic, I knew that saving the Black Pearl was a great idea," said Marek Bědroň from the company.