With developer asking for permits, Bratislava's own Hiroshima may be torn down

If all had gone according to plan, Bratislava's borough of Ružinov could have boasted of one of the largest shopping centres in Slovakia. However, for almost 20 years a skeleton frame has stood in its stead. Locals call it "Hiroshima".

Now, the situation may finally change and the ruin could be turned into something else, reports Index magazine.

The history of the skeleton frame dates back to 1984, when it was a "real" shopping centre. In 1995, it was acquired by a new owner who reconstructed it. Ten years later, however, the owner closed it with the intention of building one of the biggest and most modern shopping centres in the country, with 250 stores. In 2007, the owner found themselves in financial problems. With some preparatory work already done, all that remained of the building was a skeletal metal frame.

Meanwhile, the frame changed hands twice; currently it is owned by MCP Development, its only partner is MiddleCap Group who announced an international architectural competition immediately upon acquiring it. The winning proposal was interesting in that it also accounted for the immediate vicinity of the frame, including public spaces such as parks, squares and the Ružinov culture house.

Visualisation of the new project. (source: MiddleCap Group)

This meant that instead of a shopping centre, the developer could construct a housing project. The city approved the latter and in 2021 a binding opinion was issued. In October last year, the developer also obtained the environmental impact assessment (EIA) from the Environment Ministry.

Now, the developer turned to the Ružinov Municipal Office, requesting a change in the zoning decision regarding the location of the building. This part is crucial, as obtaining the building permit would then be only a technical matter.

According to reviewed documents, the project now includes four multifunctional buildings. The number of apartments is not mentioned. However, based on the documents that the city assessed in the past, 198 apartments were supposed to be built. Also, the developer said that the goal is to create large apartments, with penthouses occupying the highest floors.

In addition, there are office spaces, a parking space for 624 vehicles, mostly underground, publicly accessible garden, and revitalisation of the Papánkovo Námestie square. The reconstruction of the Ružinov culture house is planned to be completed at a later date.

MiddleCap Group was created when businessman Miroslav Výboh's holding merged with consulting company MiddleCap Equity Partners. It has a number of real estate projects under its belt already, including the reconstruction of the office section of the Stein brewery and the historical building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Gorkého Street.

Výboh, who is considered a close associate of Prime Minister Fico, has been suspected and charged with bribery since the summer of 2021. Although he claims to be innocent, witnesses allege that he gave €150,000 to the then deputy finance minister, Peter Pellegrini, who is now the Slovak president. Pellegrini, who has not been charged in the case, denies accepting the bribe. Výboh, who might benefit from recent changes to criminal laws initiated by Robert Fico's government, lives abroad and refuses to return to Slovakia.