Construction of the new Žofinka district in Ostrava is scheduled to begin in September 2026, with the first residents expected to move in within two and a half years. Located between Nová Karolina and Lower Vítkovice, the district will be developed on a former slag heap previously part of the Žofinská Steelworks. The site spans approximately 20 hectares, with plans to build around 412,000 square meters of mixed-use space over a 20-year period. The project is being led by Pod Žofinkou Holding. In the initial phase, around 300 apartments will be developed across three sub-phases, covering 20,000 to 30,000 square meters. Of these, 60 percent are intended for sale and 40 percent for rent. This first stage, valued at approximately CZK 1 billion, will also include retail and service units. A school is planned for a later phase once enough housing is completed—around 700 apartments will be needed before the school opens. The design of the new district was selected through an international urban and architectural competition focused on identifying the most effective layout for a predominantly residential neighborhood. The jury awarded first place jointly to two architectural teams. One winning group consists of the Danish studio ADEPT, working in collaboration with Czech practices atelier.tečka, VEN.KU architekti, Ohboi Creative Company, and VECTURA Pardubice. The second winner is the Prague-based firm Pavel Hnilička Architects + Planners. Currently, Pod Žofinkou Holding is in negotiations with both teams, evaluating their proposals from both technical and financial perspectives. A final decision on which studio will lead the first phase is expected by the end of July. However, the project structure allows for both teams to be involved in future stages, as the competition helped establish a shared urban vision and framework for development. The Žofinka neighborhood will integrate housing, administration, and services to bridge central Ostrava with the industrial Lower Vítkovice area. It is bounded by two railway corridors and the Ostravice River. The plan aims to create a modern, accessible urban district with a mix of residential and public functions. Tomáš Laštovka, a board member of Pod Žofinkou Holding, emphasized that the goal is to create a functional and vibrant neighborhood where people can live, work, and spend their free time without long commutes. The project is seen as an important step in Ostrava’s urban transformation, turning a long-abandoned industrial site into a new central district. Photos: City of Ostrava