Pilsen has a soft spot in our heart

InterCora has been operating in the market for over 30 years. They are engaged in the construction and operation of larger and smaller shopping centres in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, whose common attribute lies in low operating costs, simple solutions with high quality and affordable prices 

Their tenants stay in the buildings for decades without the need for major renovations, which proves the sustainability of the buildings. Ing. Ivan Hlaváček, InterCora’s Managing Director, spoke to us about their current projects.

When looking back on last year, how did you, the company, evaluate it? 

From InterCora’s perspective, last year was very successful. We continued stable growth and were able to complete a number of long-term projects. At the same time, we embarked on further acquisitions and preparations for new projects. Thanks to a solid background and an experienced team, we were able to handle projects with a higher level of complexity, both in terms of city planning and technical implementation. Last year also confirmed that, despite the changing economic situation, we remain a strong and stable partner for tenants, investors and the cities where we operate.

How many employees do you currently have and how has the company structure changed over the time of its operation?

The InterCora group currently has approximately 80 employees. The company structure has naturally evolved over the course of our existence – from an initially smaller team to today’s comprehensive organizational structure, which includes specialists in development, project management, property management, technical and legal services and other key areas. We emphasize expertise and mutual cooperation throughout departments, because this is what allows us to respond quickly to new challenges and effectively manage a wide portfolio of projects. 

The company also has experience in the real estate market in Germany. What are the differences compared to the Czech market that needs to be taken into account in Czech projects? 

Yes, the experience from the German market was inspiring for us in many ways. Germany is very rigorous in terms of planning and preparing projects, often emphasizing long-term sustainability and broader urban contexts. In our country, this approach is perceived more than ever before, but in many respects, it is still in a phase of development. For instance, in Germany, it is common to involve a wide range of experts in the process at an early stage, which leads to a higher degree of predictability. As for the Czech market, greater emphasis is, on the other hand, put on flexibility, which allows us to respond to cities or tenants’ specific needs. The combination of these approaches gives us an advantage – we take the best of both worlds. 

InterCora has completed many projects. Can you name some?

Certainly. Our recently completed projects include, for instance, the OC Hvězdárna in Jindřichův Hradec. It is a modern retail park that combines high-quality architecture with functional urban space. In all cases, we strive for a sensitive integration into the environment and at the same time offer services that meet the needs of local residents. 

Successful projects have also been implemented in Slovakia…

Yes, we have a number of projects there as well. The most important are the OC Terminal in Banská Bystrica, which today serves as an important commercial and transport centre in the heart of central Slovakia. We are currently building a large retail park in Košice, Pri hati, or a new project in Liptovský Mikuláš, which has great potential to become a local centre for retail and services. We see great opportunities for further development in Slovakia and want to continue to be active there.  

The company is based in Pilsen in West Bohemia. However, you operate throughout the country as well as abroad. Does this mean that you have a somewhat stepmotherly attitude towards Pilsen, or do you also implement projects in ‘your’ city? 

On the contrary, we see Pilsen as something that is close to our hearts. It is a city where we have our roots, and at the same time a place to which we want to give something back. Last year, we opened the Alice centre in the largest Pilsen district. Currently, we are preparing there a large project for the Úslava shopping centre, which is being built at the entry to Pilsen instead of the long-standing unauthorised construction of the ‘glass hell’. In February, we commenced with construction and in December of this year we plan to open the centre to customers. This project is important for us not only from a business point of view, but also from an urban perspective – it follows on from a newly developing district and will bestow the location with quality civic amenities.

Can you reveal some of the projects that you are currently working on and that will be completed in the foreseeable future?  

Of the projects being prepared, several retail parks are nearing completion – for instance, in the aforementioned Liptovský Mikuláš and the Úslava shopping centre in Pilsen. We are also starting on a retail park in Dvůr Králové and Horoměřice. A retail park in Klatovy is also about to open. In Slovakia, we are, for instance, preparing retail in Komárno, Partizánské and Prešov. The Villa Stodůlky South project, which we are implementing with the Algon company, is certainly also worth mentioning. It is a project of 10 separate villas that are under construction and will be delivered to future owners in the spring 2026.

PR

Photo: InterCora Archive