Skanska, one of the leading development and construction companies in Europe, has sold the Parkview office building in Prague to Deka Immobilien, one of Europe’s leading real estate investors and asset managers. This is the second transaction between both parties in the last twelve months, which follows the acquisition of Generation Park Z in Warsaw last year. It proves that the prime office assets in established locations remain attractive on the commercial real estate market.
“Last year showed us how important quality and relationships are – also in business. Parkview is our fourth building sold to Deka Immobilien, our well-known and longstanding partner. This transaction is yet another example which proofs that premium assets in great locations are desired on the market regardless of uncertain times. Trust between business partners and a sustainable, futureproof product in a core location on such a stable market like Prague – these were key factors in concluding this transaction,” said Arkadiusz Rudzki, Executive Vice President of Leasing & Sales at Skanska commercial development business unit in CEE.
Parkview offers a total of 16,000 sqm of space on nine floors above the ground and 227 parking spaces on three underground floors. The building is 94 percent leased to companies such as Grant Thornton, Spaces, and Jacobs Douwe Egberts. The project, designed by the world-renowned New York-based architectural studio Richard Meier & Partners, is a best-in-class office development, showcasing environmentally friendly, technologically advanced and innovative features. Parkview received its occupancy permit in the second quarter of 2020 and is located opposite the Central Park in Prague’s Pankrác district. Considered to be a prime inner-city office location, Pankrác represents one of the most prestigious, modern and only high-rise districts in Prague, defining the city’s skyline. Parkview will also further benefit from the planned construction of a new metro Line D, which will make Pankrác a transfer station, reassuring the property’s strategic position.
The Parkview office building is one of Skanska’s eight office buildings in the CEE region that applied for the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management, granted by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). It is a distinction for all new and existing buildings and facilities, which proves the high quality of office spaces with top safety standards that reduce the risk of disease transmission and facilitate creating healthy and safe workplaces.
In order to meet this objective, Skanska also established several rules within the “Care for Life Office Concept” and adapted workplaces in Central and Eastern Europe to support its tenants who returned to the offices, to create a healthy work environment, and Parkview is no exception. The concept consists of: solutions offering the best possible quality of air, space planning consultation and requirements to ensure proper physical distancing, touch-free solutions, facility management sanitizing and disinfection plans. The Parkview office building offers many of them, e.g. contactless solutions, a virtual reception using QR codes to enter the building, 100 percent outdoor air system using purely fresh outdoor air and highly effective air filters acknowledged by both LEED and WELL.
Parkview is aiming for the Gold level WELL certification, which assesses the impact on human health and well-being. This evaluates, for example, the content of volatile organic substances in built-in materials and associated air purity within a building, the availability and quality of water, and maximum access to a source of natural light – the U-shaped building makes sure that tenants have balanced natural light on all premises. In addition, Parkview has extensive amenities for cyclists and features terraces and balconies with panoramic views over Prague. Especially appealing and free to use by all tenants is the rooftop terrace with a bar, grill, outdoor seating and breathtaking views encompassing most of the city, including Prague Castle.
The property earned LEED Platinum certification and received 97 points which – along with Praga Studios – is the best score in the Czech Republic. What is more, in order to minimize energy consumption, Skanska also used such elements as LED lighting with motion sensors and an efficient cooling and heating system using chilled beams. The building is equipped with design shading elements in the façade to reduce heat gains. Rainwater collection and water-saving equipment will also help save more than 40 percent of potable water.
