The year 2025 marked a turning point for Vydrica. What began as a development project beneath Bratislava Castle has become a fully-fledged urban neighbourhood. Following the occupancy permit for the first phase at the end of 2024, Vydrica welcomed its first residents, along with gastronomy, services, offices and cultural events. New riverside apartments with views of the Danube, YEME grocery store, the exclusive DNA Beauty salon, KRUH bakery, fine-dining restaurant Bistronomy, Italian restaurant Tre Somari, OST Block café, Vydrinko wine bar and CHERRIES nail studio all show that Vydrica is no longer just a developer’s vision, but has become a vibrant, modern neighbourhood in Bratislava’s Old Town.
First Phase Comes to Life: From New Development to City Within the City
The first phase of Vydrica, completed at the end of 2024, delivered four mixed-use buildings, ground-floor retail and two new streets – Floriánska and Oeserova. In total, 207 apartments were completed in Phase One. During the year, 172 apartments were handed over to their owners and the first residents moved in. The most popular layouts were 1.5-room apartments, while the largest apartment sold were 110 m² (four rooms).
Vydrica offers city-centre living for Old Town residents who want to experience the charm of historic streets while enjoying the comfort of modern housing – from the highest quality materials and well-designed layouts to full amenities within walking distance.
Of the 19 retail units, most are already open or undergoing fit-out in preparation for opening. By the end of the year, Vydrica’s retail mix had been fully leased, with 13 tenants operating: YEME, DNA Beauty, Dr. Max, Tre Somari, Bistronomy, CHERRIES, Aura Move, Voxberg, KRUH, Vydrinko, OST Block, Love Them Space and the School of Arts.
The Tastes of Vydrica: Bistronomy, YEME, KRUH and Tre Somari
The beginning of the year saw new gastronomic openings. Fine-dining restaurant Bistronomy opened in early January and received the prestigious Gault&Millau award.
Spring brought one of the most anticipated openings – YEME, a premium grocery concept, which launched its seventh store in Vydrica. With nearly 600 m² floor space, it includes a bakery, bistro and local artisan products. YEME has become a key pillar of the local retail mix and a popular destination for residents, visitors and people working nearby.
Fresh sourdough bread and croissants arrived with KRUH, an artisan bakery that opened its new location at Floriánska 16. The gastronomic map has been further enriched by Ristorante Italiano Da Cono i Tre Somari, which brings authentic Italian cuisine using ingredients sourced from small Italian producers.
Thanks to this diverse range, residents and visitors can find everything they need in one place – from breakfast and lunch to an evening glass of wine.
Right next to YEME is the Dr. Max Pharmacy, the only pharmacy located on the riverside west of the SNP Bridge.
Coffee, Beauty and Evenings Beneath the Castle: Hradný OST Block, DNA Beauty, Vydrinko
During the summer, the OST Block specialty café opened its third location in Vydrica. Inspired by Nordic residential neighbourhoods, the café offers a strong community atmosphere and a unique experience with views of the Danube. The “coffee laboratory” concept focuses on top-tier coffee, signature gin & tonics, craft beer, iconic desserts and a vibrant community spirit.
Beauty services in Vydrica are led by DNA Beauty, an exclusive family-owned salon with more than 40 years of tradition and the largest service space in the neighbourhood. Its newest location has an entire floor dedicated to modern relaxation, where care becomes an experience – from relaxation massages and head spa rituals to K-beauty treatments, sugar tanning, and Glo2 Facial technology.
Another beauty venue is CHERRIES nail studio. Vydrica also features Aura Move Pilates studio and Voxberg, a Slovak producer of premium nutritional supplements, giving the neighbourhood a strong focus on health and wellbeing.
The evening atmosphere is completed by Vydrinko Wine Bar, with an interior designed by Alan Prekop, a leading figure in Slovak interior design. Vydrinko proves that Vydrica’s ground floor is not only about functionality, but also about experience and design.
V4 – The Jewel of Vydrica and Boutique Living by the Water Tower
One of the most important milestones of 2025 was the start of construction of the V4 residential building.
“V4 is rightfully referred to as the jewel of Vydrica – it is located next to the protected Water Tower monument, and no further construction is possible in front of it. This ensures maximum privacy and uninterrupted views of the Water Tower and the Danube riverfront,” said Juraj Ťahún, Commercial Director of Lucron. Since March 2025, the nearby Vodná veža public transport stop has also been in operation.
V4 will offer only 23 high-end apartments, most of which have already been sold. The project provides boutique living, with layouts ranging from compact investment units to four-bedroom apartments, with floor areas from 54 m² to 156 m². All apartments will have a balcony, loggia or terrace; four units will also include private front gardens – a rare concept in the Old Town.
Selected apartments can also be purchased with interior design by leading Slovak designers Romi Klimeková, Silvia Brna, Alan Prekop and Erik Pastucha, each presenting a unique concept for different types of owners under the Vydrica Designers initiative.
Offices at a Prestigious Address
An equally important part of the neighbourhood is VYDRICA Offices. In 2025, the building received its occupancy permit and is now almost fully leased, with only one floor of 540 m² of premium office space remaining for sale. Vydrica also received the Baumit Facade of the Year 2025 award in the category of creative structures and design. The jury praised the high architectural quality and craftsmanship, confirming that a development project can sensitively connect history with contemporary urban life.
Light, Fashion and Movement: Fashion Show, Biela noc and Runners in Vydrica
At the end of June, Floriánska Street hosted an exclusive fashion show presenting a new collection by renowned Slovak designer Michael Kováčik, whose work resonated perfectly with Vydrica’s character. The collection focused on self-reflection and timeless design.
In autumn 2025, Vydrica became a partner of the international contemporary art festival Biela noc for the first time. From 3 to 5 October, the historic area beneath the castle was transformed into a living canvas with four light and audiovisual installations placed in the Ice Pits, Kempelen Park and a retail space on Floriánska Street.
“We are delighted to have welcomed White Night to Vydrica. This partnership allowed us to connect new public spaces with contemporary art and offer visitors a completely new way to experience the neighbourhood,” said Juraj Ťahún.
The year also saw historic landmarks opened to the public – the Ice Pits, Kempelen Park and a replica of Kempelen’s water conduit.
Community life also thrives here. Every week, runners gather on Floriánska Street as part of the Love Them Running Club, organised by Love Them Space – a modern venue near Kempelen Park that connects art, music, an active lifestyle and community building. The project was founded by well-known creative professional, producer and entrepreneur Michal “Yaksha” Novotný.
Runs take place every Thursday and, since November, also on Tuesdays. The Sober Run & Party format is becoming a regular event, combining a warm-up dance session, a guided run, followed by a DJ set and refreshments. Weekend yoga sessions on Floriánska Street, organised by OST Block, have also taken place.
Where Living Becomes an Experience
In 2025, Vydrica showed that it is not just another development project, but has become a modern urban neighbourhood that enhances the character of the Old Town. Alongside culture, gastronomy and community life, it offers the highest quality housing – from fully furnished investment apartments to premium maisonettes and penthouses with terraces or private gardens. The new V4 residential building confirms that living in the city centre can be boutique, private and offers exceptional views of the Danube.
By connecting a historic location with timeless architecture, amenities within walking distance and the highest standard of craftsmanship, Vydrica has become a place where people enjoy living, working and spending their free time. For those seeking high quality living in the Old Town, it is a natural choice for new residential apartments, high quality offices, and life at one of the most prestigious addresses beneath the castle.
Planned Milestones for 2026
The focus will be on completion of V4 and its final sales at the turn of the year. We also plan the presentation of the Water Tower area revitalisation, the launch of pre-sales for the next phase of Vydrica, year-round community events for retail tenants, and the relocation of additional companies into the V3 building.
