BRATISLAVA (20/02/2025) – Real estate developer Immocap has presented an updated vision of the new Istropolis. The project has a valid zoning permit and construction is expected to start in the summer of 2025. Istropolis is a city-shaping project which, thanks to modern urban planning, will transform Trnavské Mýto into the gateway to Bratislava’s Nové Mesto, creating a new meeting place in the capital. At the heart of the project will be a multifunctional hall with a capacity of 3,000 people, providing a high-quality venue for a wide range of events. The mix of functions will be complemented by high-quality housing, top-notch workspaces and generous public spaces. Thanks to advanced technologies and well-thought-out project design, Istropolis will be among the leading projects in Central Europe in terms of ESG criteria, emphasizing sustainability, social responsibility and transparent management.
Istropolis has a valid zoning permit and the developer plans to start construction in the summer of 2025. Given the scale of work and the size of the site, implementation will take place in several phases over time. According to the building permits, construction will first begin on two office buildings and one residential building, with an estimated construction timeline of approximately 2.5 years for these initial three buildings. The future heart of Istropolis will be a multifunctional hall with state-of-the-art technical equipment and a capacity of 3,000 people. For the first time in the modern history of Slovakia, a space of such significant public and cultural importance will be delivered by a private investor.
source: IMMOCAP
A city-shaping project
The uniqueness of the new Istropolis project lies in its sophisticated combination of world-class architecture, innovative energy-efficient solutions and an above-standard approach to environmental sustainability. The design is co-authored by renowned studios – the Dutch KCAP and the German Cityförster, locally supported by the Slovak studio Pantograph. The urban-landscape concept was created through the cooperation of the Dutch KCAP and the Slovak-British studio Marko & Placemakers, the author of the original vision of Trnavské Mýto. The architectural form of Istropolis also reflects the architects’ effort to have a sensitive approach to the cultural tradition of the site and Trnavské Mýto itself. By integrating a multifunctional center, A-class office space, high-quality urban housing and generous public spaces, Immocap aims to transform this busy transport hub into a popular destination for living, working and leisure.
“From the very beginning, our goal has been to improve the quality of life not only in Trnavské Mýto and in its surrounding district, but to deliver a project with an overlap across Bratislava. Our vision for a modern and dynamic Trnavské Mýto will begin to take shape this summer. Istropolis will provide our city with a top cultural venue suitable for various types of events, high-quality urban housing, energy-efficient offices and well-thought-out public spaces. Istropolis will thus become the new center of urban life,” says Martin Šramko, CEO of Immocap, highlighting this important milestone. Thanks to advanced technologies and project design, Istropolis will be one of the revolutionary projects in Central Europe in terms of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) criteria, which emphasize sustainability, social responsibility and transparent management. “The new Istropolis project will be a unique example of the Immocap co.re concept, reaffirming our commitment to energy efficiency, sustainability and ESG principles in general,” explained Šramko.
zdroj: IMMOCAP
Jeroen Dirckx, conceptual architect at the renowned Dutch architectural studio KCAP and co-author of the new Istropolis project, emphasizes that city-making must always consider the future function and goals. “Our main objective was to bring life back to Trnavské Mýto. We see Istropolis as a meeting place that people want to visit repeatedly, a space where you want to spend time. A change in perception from a transit hub to a true destination can only be achieved through a thoughtful mix of functions and a strong connection to high-quality public spaces. The past four years have shown us that Trnavské Mýto has a huge potential. With the new Istropolis project, we can help not only the city district but also the entire city, giving it a new, contemporary and fresh identity in its improved form,” said the respected architect, who, along with his team, has worked on the project from the very beginning.
New multifunctional hall, new meeting place
As part of the concept, four apartment buildings, connected by a green city park and a community square with a fountain, three technologically advanced office buildings, and a modern multifunctional hall have taken concrete form. The project will also serve as a landmark for the entire area and a popular meeting place for residents.
zdroj: IMMOCAP
The modern and adaptable hall with generous entrance areas will be able to host various types of events both indoors and outdoors. With a capacity of 3,000 people, it will accommodate concerts and social events, conferences and international congresses, as well as corporate parties, exhibitions and city markets. As examples from abroad show, cultural centers and multifunctional halls can have a significant economic and social impact on their surroundings. For new residents, visitors and investors, such a dynamic environment is highly attractive. “The benefits include increased tourism, rising real estate values, job creation and an overall improvement in the quality of life and image of the area. These expectations are also confirmed by the current strong demand for housing and workspace in the new Istropolis project,” says Martin Šramko.
A new destination for city life, an ideal place to live, work and leisure
Developer Immocap has spent the past four years refining the new Istropolis project with an exceptionally broad team of architects, planners and various specialists. The final form of Istropolis combines valuable public spaces filled with greenery, pleasant urban living and efficient offices, which will be built near the heart of the entire project – a multifunctional hall. Škultétyho Street itself will also undergo a major transformation, with infrastructure improvements that will create a generous green belt with an elevated road for cars, slowing down traffic and making the street a pleasant link between the existing district and Istropolis. Expressed in numbers: 9 new buildings, 2 squares, an inner-block park, bicycle paths, a car-free zone, a state-of-the-art multifunctional hall for 3,000 people, 600 new apartments, energy-efficient offices for 5,000 employees, new shops, restaurants, and other services. Due to several improvements the project has undergone, the buildings of the hall and some other structures are now awaiting a new EIA process, which will begin soon. Immocap’s excellent location and commitment to the ESG criteria have convinced the multinational company DELL to relocate its headquarters to Istropolis. Similarly, all office buildings are attracting interest from multinational companies currently in negotiations to move their headquarters to Istropolis.
zdroj: IMMOCAP
ESG flagship in Central Europe
Thanks to the use of advanced technologies and project design, the new Istropolis project will be a unique implementation of the Immocap co.re concept, through which the developer brings its approach to energy efficiency, sustainability and ESG principles to life. Experts in various areas carefully select and combine technologies and solutions that will not only to meet the goals set for the project, but also to ensure their sustainability in the long term.
zdroj: IMMOCAP
A novelty for Bratislava will be a central energy concept that leverages physical synergies: rational construction and physical design, modern technologies and, last but not least, the energy interconnection of buildings with optimized energy use. The individual buildings will be interconnected in a way that enables environmentally friendly energy management throughout the entire zone through cooperation. Thanks to the size of the plot, it has been possible to design a central energy system based on the accumulation of energy in the building’s thermal mass (concrete), using heat pumps and renewable energy sources. The system is managed by a control system that uses analytical evaluation of metadata and neural networks. All buildings will be connected to this system, enabling them to transfer or absorb energy from each other depending on the current surplus. For example, residual heat from server rooms in office buildings will be used to heat domestic hot water in residential buildings. Photovoltaic panels on the roofs of office buildings will power heat pumps throughout the zone. Environmental measures in the Istropolis project also include modern water management, strategically placed greenery and fountains, which contribute to a better microclimate in the area. During construction, emphasis will also be placed on the use of recycled materials and minimizing the carbon footprint.
The social aspect of the project emphasizes the creation of a vibrant meeting place that attracts a diverse demographic. Istropolis will feature cultural and social spaces, a healthy working environment and high-quality housing, all within a car-free zone. The surrounding area will offer accessible public transportation options, including buses, bike paths, and charging stations for all types of electric bikes and cars. At the same time, the project prioritizes health and wellbeing, ensuring both the physical and mental comfort of its users. It will foster space for community diversity and innovation, giving this zone an exceptional character, especially through the multifunctional hall. Designed to accommodate indoor and outdoor events, the hall will host a wide range of activities, from concerts, Christmas markets and ice skating to conferences, congresses, and corporate parties.
In the area of governance, the new Istropolis project will secure the highest building standards certifications and will promote solutions to reduce waste and enhance biodiversity. Taking care of building occupants is an important part of Immocap’s co.re approach. The developer will transparently and regularly inform building users about energy consumption, renewable resources, waste management, etc. Istropolis will thus not only be a symbol of sustainability, but also contribute to the overall quality of life in the city.
The story of Immocap began more than 30 years ago. The vision of its founder, Peter Lukeš, was to build a high-quality team of people who would help shape the new face of Slovakia’s capital. Over time, this vision has gradually materialized through specific projects. Immocap was an important partner in the creation of the business zone on Plynárenská Street with projects BBC III, IV and V. Immocap overcame the difficult period of the Covid-19 pandemic by successfully completing the Lakeside Park 02 office building with full occupancy at the time of final approval. The ability to approach the creation of the city with a long-term vision has also proven to be key to the Mlynské Nivy boulevard. Immocap’s projects such as The Mill or the Millhaus residential building are in the heart of the future 15-minute city on Mlynské Nivy. The developer also sees great potential in the Trnavské Mýto area and is gradually presenting it. Immocap entered this prime location with the construction of the Central shopping center together with a hotel and an office building – Orange headquarters.
In cooperation with the City Hall, it revitalized the Trnavské Mýto underpass and is now continuing the city-wide transformation of the zone with the new Istropolis project. The new multifunctional hall will become not only an icon of the city, but also a center of cultural and social life. Bratislava’s downtown will be enriched by Immocap with a new headquarters for ZSE, the first carbon-neutral office building in the country. The designer residential building on Bottova Street will redefine the perception of “quiet luxury” for a high standard of living. Gradually fulfilling the founder’s vision, Immocap has developed into a leader in the field of sustainable and technologically advanced real estate development in Slovakia. A whole team of specialists has designed Immocap co.re® approach, which redefines the way the general public understands ESG. Sustainability, consideration and innovation are combined into concrete projects that simply create better spaces for working and living in the city.