The first stage of the new Vydrica development project has received all its final occupation permits and is ready to welcome its new residents. The first retail establishments in Vydrica are scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2025. The buildings completed as part of the first stage include four residential buildings with 207 flats and apartments, 19 retail establishments, an underground garage parking and two brand new streets – Floriánska and Oeserova. Opening the first zone of the new neighbourhood is the first step to linking the city’s historical centre with the modern development on the Danube’s waterfront. Vydrica not only restores physical spaces, but also brings back the atmosphere and genius loci of the past, injecting new life and energy into Bratislava’s city centre. The sale of new residential units and the start of stage 2 of the Vydrica project are scheduled for 2025 to be followed by the construction of stage 3 due to begin a year later.
Construction work on the Vydrica Offices building, set to open early next year, are also well on track. Preparations are also underway for the construction of the site’s most prestigious residential building V4, while the first phase of restoration works on the Water Tower and its surroundings will run simultaneously.
“Vydrica is a prominent project where the best location, architecture, modern technology and high-quality materials combine. It’s amazing to watch how the first stage of the Vydrica project has already set a completely new standard for the site’s future development. I believe that once Vydrica is fully completed, it will create a unique and culturally rich and diverse urban space under the castle hill to serve entire generations of residence and visitors to the city,” said VYDRICA Development CEO Zoltán Müller.
Top standard of living and unique gastro experience
The four buildings completed in stage 1 offer a total of 207 residential units with diverse floor areas, layouts and vistas on each floor. Larger flats with views on both sides are located on higher floors and include spacious terraces overlooking the waterfront and balconies giving a view of Floriánska street and the castle.
“Thanks to the diverse flat mix, Vydrica offers ideal housing for people with different preferences. In addition, the offer is limited, which makes it an investment that will increase in value over time,” said Juraj Ťahún, Head of Sales at Lucron.
An underground garage with 257 parking places for residents and the public will be opened by the end of the year. Around one third of parking places will have e-charging and the public will also have eight high-speed charging stations powered by ZSE Drive at their disposal.
In addition to the residential units, the first stage of the Vydrica project brings a multitude of retail services and novel gastronomy concepts to the city centre. The first retail establishments will open in the first quarter of 2025. Among the popular brands that will open in Vydrica are two restaurants – Bistronomy and Ristorante Italiano Da Cono i tre somari, a new concept store of the popular YEME grocery chain, and the brand new Love Them Space hub by well-known influencer and entrepreneur Yak.sha. Everyone’s favourite KRUH bakery is also coming to Vydrica, as well as a Dr. Max pharmacy.
The next stage of urban development under the castle hill at Vydrica
In addition to the opening of the first stage of the Vydrica project, Vydrica Development is actively working on stages 2 and 3. The aim is to restore physical spaces and revive the atmosphere and genius loci of the past.
“Vydrica was once a bustling centre of trade and crafts, boosting the prosperity of medieval Bratislava. It was famous for its narrow streets and its vibrant atmosphere, which have completely disappeared over time, mainly due to the decline under socialism. With the completion of all stages of the Vydrica project, we want to bring back this atmosphere,” said Zoltán Müller, CEO of VYDRICA Development.
Stages 2 and 3 were designed by teams from Compass Architekti and Šujan_Stassel Architekti. As for stage 1, the next stages will also use modern architectonic solutions sensitively incorporated into Vydrica’s historical context.
Vydrica was known for its vibrant street life in the past, which will return under the castle hill. Floriánska street with the highest concentration of retail and gastronomy establishments will be the heart of the new neighbourhood. Oeserova street, which runs along the retaining wall will be faced by the front gardens of the residential buildings, and so will offer more privacy. The third street, Vydrická, will be home to exclusive retail brands and their unique concept stores and showrooms. A more intimate square with a fountain and a café will also be built in stage 3, creating yet another attractive public space for residents and visitors alike.
In addition to premium housing, A-list offices and destination retail, the next stage of Vydrica will build on stage 1 with high quality public spaces and historic artefact displays. The new buildings will incorporate restored historic features, creating a symbiosis of harmony between old and new. The retaining wall will include an artefact of the garden pavilion, which is reminiscent of a former Orient-inspired tower with cupola, colloquially known as a “mosque” in the past due to its distinctive shape. The wall will also contain two examples of original brickwork.
Diverse multipurpose mix
The next stage of the Vydrica development will serve a multitude of needs, including housing, retail, services and relaxation, all combined to create a vibrant and multipurpose urban environment. Stages 2 and 3 will offer high street retail focused on gastronomy, fashion, and wellness and beauty services. The luxury corner, an ideal place for showrooms and designer stores of luxury brands, will be situated at the entrance to Vydrica from Rybné square.
Flats in stages 2 and 3 are even more limited than in stage 1. Each floor in the residential buildings will only contain a few 1- to 5-room flats of the same standard as in stage 1.
VYDRICA IN FIGURES
STAGE 1 (completed):
- 207 flats
- 257 parking places, around one third with e-charging
- 19 retail establishments – more than 3,000 m2 of retail premises
- 1 office building V3 – 2,360 m2 of office premises and 28 parking places in total
In progress: building V4
- Number of flats: 23
- Retail premises: 482 m2
- Number of parking places: 49
STAGE 2 (buildings V5, V7):
- Number of flats and apartments: 80
- Short-term accommodation: 2,073 m2
- Offices: 508 m2
- Retail premises: 2,993 m2
- Number of parking places: 214
- Start of construction: 2025, final approval: 2028
STAGE 3 (buildings V8, V10, V11,V12, V13, V34):
- Number of flats: 63
- Offices: 3,006 m2
- Retail premises: 3,612 m2
- Number of parking places: 164
- Start of construction: 2026, final approval: 2029
Watch the video to see the visualisation of the Vydrica neighbourhood after completion.
