Port7 in Prague – ESG in Real Estate Development? - case study

ESG is one of the hottest topics discussed across the European real estate markets. As greenfields in the biggest cities across this region are nearly gone, brownfield redevelopments are going to be happening more and more often. And such projects are perfect opportunities to show your experience in real estate development and how serious you are about sustainability.?

Port7, our latest project in Prague, has it all. With its completion expected in spring 2023, you will be able to see it with your own eyes soon. Before this happens, let me take you on a short ESG-focused tour around this project. The article would be too long if I took a deep dive into the full range of sustainable solutions on Port7, so we will explore only some of the key highlights.?

Welcomed brownfield transformation?

If you entered the area between the Prague Hole?ovice railway station and the Vltava River in 2017, as we did, you wouldn′t say that it could serve as a location for the new heart of Hole?ovice district at all. The place was used for a concrete production plant for decades. Exploited and then abandoned. Despite the ugly brownfield scenery around, the atmosphere by the river and the beautiful views of Troja Hill were and still are undeniable.?

As we completed our other project (Visionary) near the Port7 plot, we knew the neighbourhood well, which boosted our confidence that we could create something great in this particular location. In cooperation with architectural studio DAM.architekti, we prepared Port7 project, a perfect mix of offices, retail, leisure and sports and social facilities within a large public park of 17.000 m2?

We were additionally encouraged by the very positive feedback regarding the project that we received from the local authorities. In 2021, we started the construction of this great project to transform this basically forgotten piece of land into a thriving space for our future tenants and the local community, including a lively piazza with shops and restaurants, a new park fully open to public, and a renovated Vltava embankment with a promenade and cycling path.?

Getting there and around in a sustainable way ?

Building 35,000 square meters of prime commercial premises and nearly two hectares of public space is one thing but making it alive during working hours and beyond (including on workdays, in the evenings, and on weekends) is another big thing. Easy access to the whole area is crucial for its long-term success.??

Port7 checks all these boxes: it is located on an already established transport junction with regional and international trains and bus lines, as well as the Prague metro and trams. We built a safe shortcut from the metro and train station to Port7. Together with the city organization TSK we agreed on a construction of a brand-new bicycle path running along the Vltava river and prepared the embankment to host a stop for the river tram going to Prague Zoo, which is going to be built by the Municipality of Prague 7.?

There is an underground parking garage for employees and visitors and facilities for cyclists (parking lots, a repair area, and showers with towel service) for Port7 tenants as well as public bicycle stands. We aim to provide places for electric cars, including charging stations.??

This gives the Prague community an abundance of means of transportation they can use to get to this wonderful place, depending on their preferences.?

Port7 sustainable offices save money ?

Port7 has been designed and built with the ambition to obtain the leading international certificates in terms of sustainability (LEED) and user-friendliness (WELL and WELL Health-Safety Rating). Next to the to a safe and healthy work environment, we offer our tenants three thematic rooftop terraces, and an underground social area called The Club. In addition to that, our vision is to have food hall, fitness, pharmacy and other services at the piazza, as well as a park by the river where you can relax, socialize, or play sports. This corresponds with the post-pandemic evolution of the role an office should play—a place that not only serves business purposes but one that should also support needs such as relaxation or fostering relationships.?

And guess what? By having an office in a modern, sustainable building such as Port7 you save money each month. Thanks to the efficient technologies installed in the building, the consumption of energy and potable water are more than 40% lower than in an average office building, as proven by the estimations aligned with the LEED model.?

Attracting top clients and the amenities they want??

The effort we have put into building this state-of-the-art sustainable project is being recognized by top clients, whether they are tenants or property investors.?

Port7 will soon welcome companies such as the medical clinic O?ní centrum Praha, the co-working provider Scott & Weber, and the IT firm Manta. Direct Group, part of VIGO Investments, has leased the entire Alexandria building (4,200 square meters).?

Mr. Pavel ?ehák, founder of Direct Group, explains why they chose Port7: "We have been in contact with Skanska for a long time because we like their modern, innovative, and sustainable office buildings. As we have been growing significantly recently, we decided to lease larger premises in Prague Hole?ovice, where we were previously located. The Alexandria building is an ideal solution for us. As the only tenant, we will be able to fully customize it according to our needs. We are very much looking forward to our new headquarters."?

We aimed to create a place that is going to serve both the tenants as and the local community. Inspired by the vibrant river embankments of major European cities and came up with the retail strategy, which we now successfully implement. Currently 90% of retail premises are leased, and you can look forward to a high-quality Chuck & Frida restaurant with a new food hall concept created especially for Port7, Onegym fitness center, and OpenWine with several services.?

Port7 tenants and visitors as well as the members of the local community will be able to use the buildings and their surroundings to work, relax, do sports, socialize, and take care of their routines.?

The Port 7 features mentioned above are just a few examples of the project's sustainable components. Want more? Check the dedicated website in the comment below and don’t hesitate to contact our Skanska Leasing & Sales team in Prague Jana Prokopová MRICS , Iva Varechova (Janouskova) , Markéta Krausová , Marek Pikaň , who are more than happy to provide more details. If you'd prefer a quick question-and-answer round, feel free to drop me a comment below this article.?