Sekyra Group has completed its headquarters, a building called Arché, the beginning of everything and, above all, the new Rohan City district
Prague, 30 June 2025 – Sekyra Group, as developer and investor, has completed the Arché building. In its original philosophical meaning, Arché is the first principle of the world and the beginning of everything. Arché is the first administrative building in the new Rohan City district. The building was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Eva Jiřičná. The construction costs for this unique eight-storey building amounted to approximately CZK 900 million. The first phase of Rohan City is now being finalised and the second construction phase is about to begin. The project, which aims to become the green centre of Prague, will be completed by 2035. It will provide housing and jobs for 11,000 people. The total investment will exceed CZK 25 billion.
Since 2021, Sekyra Group has been transforming the former brownfield site on Rohan Island in Prague 8 into a fully-fledged urban district that will include architecturally impressive residences, modern office buildings, premises for services, leisure and sports, a school and extensive green areas. The first phase of the project included the Arché building, which is not only the Sekyra Group headquarters but also the first completed administrative building in the new Rohan City district.
There is a certain symbolism here, as “arché” represents the first principle of the world or the beginning of everything in Greek philosophy. However, the new district will have many more links with philosophy. The streets and parks will be named after important Czech and foreign philosophers. It will thus become the first cohesive philosophy-inspired district in Europe. The Forum Rohanum Philosophy Festival will debut here this September, bringing philosophy closer to the public and engaging young people in intellectual discourse.
“Philosophy has been my lifelong passion, so I am truly delighted that our new headquarters will bear the philosophical name Arché, meaning the first principle of the world and the beginning of everything. The central facade above the main building entrance is characterised by original wave-shaped aluminium blinds, symbolising not only the river flowing near the building, but also the passing of time. ‘Everything flows, panta rhei’ is a stirring expression of Heraclitus’ statement ‘You cannot step into the same river twice.’ This is symbolic, as Rohan City will be a philosophy-inspired district, probably the first of its kind, honouring both important Czech philosophers and great figures of Western thought who have fundamentally shaped the character of our civilisation. I strive to ensure that the districts we build always express transcendence and a message. The names of prominent personalities already adorn 23 streets and five parks. The Smíchov City project pays tribute to great female figures, and in Žižkov City we would like to honour writers and dissidents,” explains Luděk Sekyra, founder of Sekyra Group.
In addition to Sekyra Group, the eight-storey Arché building with 10,000 square metres of floor space has been chosen for the headquarters of ESSILOR – OPTIKA and the CLA Czech Republic group, among others. “Moving to the new headquarters was a significant milestone for Sekyra Group. The flexible open-space concept allows us to work together more effectively as a team. We can also fully reap the benefits of the building, such as its cutting-edge design and the use of state-of-the-art technologies that ensure energy efficiency while being environmentally friendly. Another advantage is that we are now in the centre of our new Rohan City district,” said Leoš Anderle, CEO of Sekyra Group.
Architects Eva Jiřičná and her colleague Petr Vágner from the AI - DESIGN studio wanted to create an original and transparent building, and this was made possible by the all-glass facade. Eva Jiřičná’s signature style is also evident in the entrance lobby, where the bionic backlit wall made of Corian and monumental reception desk immediately catch the eye. The modern sculptures were created by the Brno-based A.M.O.S. DESIGN studio using designs by architect Eva Jiřičná. She also incorporated artificial intelligence into modelling the wall. The profiled wall is complemented by an illuminated glass sculpture by the Lasvit glassworks. This object was also designed by Eva Jiřičná. All three elements - the bionic wall, reception desk and sculpture - are inspired by water as the essence of life (the bubbles in the wall, the reception desk wave and the flowing water of the chandelier) and thus link to the wave-shaped sunshades on the southern facade of Arché.
However, the building’s appeal is not limited only to its attractive appearance. The architectural design likewise focused on efficient and flexible use of space and economical operation. The building also includes a spacious shared terrace. Nor have environmental considerations been overlooked. The building aims to achieve the highest LEED Platinum sustainability certification. For example, the complex features energy-efficient LED lighting that responds to the intensity of the ambient light, heating is provided by low-rise radiators along the windows, and the south facade offers wave-shaped sunshades symbolising the flowing Vltava River near the building. The underground car parks have chargers for electric cars and electric bikes. The building features the latest technologies. For example, the access system allows entry using both standard cards and phones supporting NFC or Bluetooth. Entry and exit from the garage uses number-plate recognition.
Dominant position in the office space market
Sekyra Group believes in the Prague office market, which is why, unlike other developers, it has not suspended any of its administrative projects, even after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an analysis by the Prague Research Forum, which maps the office space market, over 173,000 square metres of office space were under construction in the capital in the first quarter of this year. The vast majority of this, around 80%, is being built in the new districts of Smíchov City, where Sekyra Group is also an investor, and Rohan City. Sekyra Group thus has a dominant position in the construction of administrative space. “We are seeing strong demand from larger corporations, especially for buildings over 10,000 square metres located close to the city centre with excellent transport accessibility. Both Smíchov and Rohan meet these criteria,” said Leoš Anderle.
Construction of the A2 office building, which will house Banka Creditas, recently began at Rohan. Two more office buildings from the second phase of the project are also ready for construction. These buildings will be located along Rohanské nábřeží and separated from street traffic by a pedestrian walkway and a green belt. The total leasable area of the administrative buildings, designed by the architectural firms Schindler Seko architekti, ADNS architekti and Quarta, is over 13,000 square metres. They are designed to meet the A standard and are aiming for LEED Platinum sustainability certification. The wellbeing of the people who will work here was taken into account during the design of the buildings. They are therefore equipped with terraces offering panoramic views, and facilities for sportspeople and cyclists. The buildings should be completed in the first half of 2028. Preparatory work is also underway on the third phase of the Rohan City project.
Residential construction will also continue at Rohan this year, namely four residential blocks from the second phase. The apartments are intended for both the individual and rental markets. Construction has recently begun on Vision Karlín, two luxury residential towers with unique views based on a design by architects Eva Jiřičná and Petr Vágner, and which are part of the first phase of the Rohan City project. As part of this phase, four apartment buildings with 220 apartments have already been completed in addition to Arché. Two of these buildings, called Diamanty Karlín, were designed by Eva Jiřičná and architect Petr Vágner with the AI - DESIGN studio. The other two buildings, called Riviéra Karlín, were designed by architects from EBM Expert.
School, new square and greenery
The new district will feature shops, cafés, sports and relaxation areas, and a new school. The school is planned, in cooperation with the Prague 8 municipal district and the City of Prague, between Carnapova, Millova and Kohákova streets and the adjacent cycle path, and will accommodate up to 800 children. The Rohan City project will also include a new central square, which will become the heart of the entire district, a place for gathering and civic activities. This will create a central public space that will serve a similar function to the historic Karlínské náměstí square. The new square will also serve the approximately 30,000 people living in the catchment area.
“The square will unite the entire Rohan City area. Several architects will contribute to its design, yet only one of them will have the final say. We plan to announce their name in the autumn. The creation of a central square is not only the vision of Sekyra Group, which emphasises public space in all its projects, but also a response to suggestions from citizens,” adds Leoš Anderle. The urban study for Rohan Island, prepared by architect Pavel Hnilička and which defines the binding requirements for construction in the area, also includes a central public space. The study was approved by Prague City Council in 2018. The new central square will be a place for people to go to shop and dine, but will also be a meeting place, as it is located in the centre of the whole site. The metro station, tram stops, a new large park, a cycle path, a new school and the Vltava River are all close by.
According to the plans, almost half of the area within the new project will be made up of parks and public spaces. The existing cycle path will be converted into a wide riverside promenade, which will connect to the future extensive Maniny Park, prepared in cooperation with Prague City Hall and the Institute of Planning and Development. A park of citywide importance will be created, which will retain the character of freely growing greenery and be comparable in size to Stromovka Park. In front of Invalidovna, it will connect to the Kaizlovy sady orchards and continue along the river promenade, which will form the axis of the entire area. The Rohan City project will be completed by 2035. It will provide housing and jobs for 11,000 people. The total investment will reach CZK 25 billion.
