Haná Barracks in Olomouc sold to Brno developer Richard Saliba for CZK 91 million

The historic Haná Barracks in Olomouc has been purchased by the Brno-based developer Salibara, owned by Richard Saliba, in an electronic auction conducted by the Office for the Representation of the State in Property Matters (ÚZSVM). The final sale price of CZK 91 million was reached after a competitive bidding process, narrowly surpassing the offer from the Redstone Group by CZK 100,000. This successful sale marks the culmination of the state’s tenth attempt to sell the property, which was first listed for CZK 262 million in 2021.

The auction, lasting 24 hours, saw intense activity in the final moments, with two active bidders driving up the price. Richard Saliba’s winning bid reflects his interest in the property, which he visited multiple times during the past year. Saliba is no stranger to significant redevelopment projects, having previously restored prominent Brno landmarks such as the Padowetz Palace and the Jalta Palace. He has already reached out to Olomouc Mayor Miroslav Žbánek, regional Governor Ladislav Oklešt’k, and representatives of Palacký University to discuss potential collaborations for the future use of the barracks.

The Haná Barracks, a listed 19th-century building, is a prime example of classicist military architecture. Situated in the historic heart of Olomouc, the site was previously used as a Regional Assistance Centre for Ukraine (KACPU) during the war in Ukraine, but has been vacant since January 2024. The property’s sale history has been complex, with prior auctions ending unsuccessfully due to procedural challenges. In a previous auction, Redstone Group had bid CZK 89.1 million, but disputes over the process led to another sale attempt.

Palacký University expressed interest in acquiring the site but withdrew due to limitations in its financial decision-making processes and the transparency required as a public institution. This left private developers, such as Salibara and Redstone, as the primary competitors for the property.

The purchase agreement will now move through formal approval by the Ministry of Culture. Saliba plans to expedite negotiations to minimize legal uncertainties and begin the redevelopment process. His plans for the Haná Barracks are expected to honor the site’s cultural significance while integrating modern functionality, bringing new life to one of Olomouc’s architectural treasures.

Source: CTK
Photo: denarchitektury.cz