Skanska Property Czech Republic started the speculative construction of a new office building called Corso Court in Prague 8 – Karlín at the end of November 2013. Scheduled for completion in July 2015, the building will offer approximately 17,000 sqm of modern and efficient commercial space. The project was designed by the renowned Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill and aims to acquire LEED Gold certification.
Skanska Property Czech Republic acquired the office project, previously called Corso IIb, from Karlín Group. The building permit was modified in order to modernize the design and better align it with Skanska's philosophy. Corso Court will provide its tenants with approximately 17,000 sqm of office space and 302 underground parking spaces. There will be seven above-ground floors, with each offering approximately 2,400 sqm of usable space. Future tenants will enjoy the flexibility of large floor plates, an impressive atrium and terraces. Another distinctive feature will be the building's beautiful garden, which can be used for relaxation and work.
Bofill and his team incorporated various modern architectural features into the design, such as suspended meeting rooms, projecting from the side walls into the interior space of the atrium. “Corso Court combines glass, steel and arches - all typical characteristics of Bofill. The interior will be very bright and spacious, as the walls are fully glazed,” says Václav Matoušek, Project Manager of Corso Court.
Corso Court will feature a number of sustainable solutions to minimize the building’s environmental footprint and significantly reduce its operating costs. The building's modern facade will let in a high level of natural light. The design also includes energy-efficient heating, ventilation and cooling systems, and as with many other Skanska projects, a strong emphasis will be placed on environmental quality inside the building.
Corso Court is the first project Skanska Property Czech Republic is building in Prague 8 and is just a one-minute walk from the Křižíkova metro station. Karlín is an attractive location thanks to its vicinity to the city center and its genius loci. “Karlín has become a vibrant location that attracts modern, progressive companies. We are delighted we can support the revitalization of this unique district using our sustainable know-how,” says Marie Passburg, President of Skanska Property Czech Republic.
In the spirit of the One Skanska approach, the Skanska divisions working on the Czech market, including Skanska Commercial, Skanska Residential, Skanska Construction and Skanska Infrastructure, will share office space at Corso Court.
“I am happy that Corso Court will be the headquarters of all business units operating in the Czech Republic. Skanska is made up of a broad range of different businesses and sitting together in the same office is a great opportunity for using Skanska’s gathered knowledge on a daily basis. I believe that Corso Court will be yet another project where we demonstrate the excellent work we can do and one which will make our employees proud,” says Dan Ťok, CEO of Skanska a.s.