Media and News
Articles
08 / 03 / 2023
ASB – Via Una
A unique history and the most modern standards. This is how you could characterize the listed building on the corner of Celetná and Na Příkopě streets in the very center of Prague, which after extensive renovation has been offering highly modern office and business premises since last year.
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11 / 08 / 2023
E 15 Magazine
You come from the United States, but you have been active in Prague for over two decades. What is the most challenging for a foreign architect in the Czech Republic?
When I first came to the Czech Republic as an architect, it was a completely different time. I was brought here by an investor 23 years ago with the aim of getting western standards, western products and western mindset. It was terribly challenging, especially when I designed buildings for companies like IBM that had certain expectations. Now the most demanding permit processes are difficult for international architects to grasp. Unlike them, I have lived here for a long time and I have adapted.
13 / 04 / 2023
Forbes Magazine
As recently as 2017, Komerční banka owned a listed building in Na Příkopě street in the neighborhood of Prašná brány. But then she sold it for about a billion and the journey began, at the end of which was a project that collects domestic and international architectural awards.
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06 / 02 / 2023
International Property Awards
Marani Architects won the International Property Award, Best International Mixed Use Architecture 2022 for the project VIA UNA.
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06 / 02 / 2023
International Property Awards
Marani Architects won the International Property Award, Best Mixed Use Architecture Europe 2022 for the project VIA UNA.
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01 / 12 / 2022
Building World, Issue 4, December 2022
VIA UNA, the majestic First Republic palace in the vicinity of the historical landmark known as the Powder Tower in the very heart of Prague that used to be the main seat of the Bohemian Escompte-Bank in the past, was presented in all its glory after demanding and sensitive renovations. Today, the iconic build- ing in one of Prague‘s most exclusive locations, where the luxury high street Na Příkopě meets Celetná Street, the main tourist route to the Old Town Square, offers prime offices and unique retail spaces, combining First Republic elegance with a contemporary design, exclusive materials and modern technologies. The building, which was given a new makeover by the renowned studio Marani Architects, is part of the portfolio of the German investment fund
Commerz Real. The developer of the renova- tion is the Austrian Group S+B Gruppe AG, which has had many years of experience in the construction of office, residential and re- tail projects and has been operating on the Czech market since 1988.
15 / 11 / 2022
Best of Reality 2022, Office, Silver Medal
The jury praised the project for the sensitive reconstruction of the historic bank building, which respected the original values of the property standing in the center of the metropolis, and its transformation into a modern office building.
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08 / 11 / 2022
European Property Award 2022
Marani Architects won the European Property Award, 5-Star, Best Mixed Use Architecture Czech Republic 2022 for the project VIA UNA.
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24 / 09 / 2018
Hospodarskych Novin, Rozvoj Prahy
City development goes hand in hand with the sale of land owned by state controlled companies. Large parcels of land from state controlled companies in Prague have been tendered and sold in Prague over the last 12 years. These areas are Scmikov Nadrazi, Bubny, and Zizkov. These large parcels of land were tendered and sold to the highest bidder. The problem with these tenders is that there were no conditions for the developers on what they should build for the betterment of Czech society. Also vice-versa the developers are gambling on how much and what they will build. These properties were not sold with a comprehensive master plan or binding agreements that would help both parties. This has lead to decades of negotiations between the city and the developers, this has lead to the current housing shortage in Prague, which has resulted in skyrocketing housing prices. The lands in question could have been used to increase the housing stock in Prague, all European cities are growing and Prague is no exception.
20 / 04 / 2018
Hospodarske Noviny, Ego
Table, bench, library, coffee tables. Simplicity, practicality, beauty. This is the Marani Collection, awarded such as the Furniture of 2018. In the workshops of Lugi, it was made by architect Vincent Marani.
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