1. April 2026
Located on the right bank of the Danube, Southbank is entering the next phase of preparation after receiving the final statement from the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. Alongside the ongoing permitting process, the site is already undergoing gradual transformation. The second year of activation will introduce new features for the public, also based on visitor feedback, including expanded food options and a children’s playground. An important part of the transformation is the planned revitalization of the riverside park, developed in collaboration with project partners.
The issuance of the final EIA statement marks a significant milestone in the project’s preparation. Southbank aims to transform the area into a fully-fledged urban district, with a strong emphasis on high-quality public space, integration with nature, and everyday use by both residents and visitors to Bratislava. As part of the process, the project’s environmental impact was assessed in detail, and the approach includes systematic monitoring of the site from an ecological perspective.
Biodiversity monitoring within the project area and its surroundings will continue beyond the completion of the EIA process, during construction and once the project is finished. It will focus on vegetation as well as selected groups of fauna, ranging from invertebrates to birds and small mammals. This approach builds on surveys carried out since 2023 and allows for a deeper understanding of how the area functions over time, enabling a sensitive and informed response to its natural character.
At the same time, the project is already activating the site and gradually making it accessible to the public. The first activation season showed its potential as a place for social interaction, relaxation, and leisure, while also providing valuable feedback that is now shaping further development.
The second activation season builds on these insights and expands the offer for visitors. It will include an extension of the Bufet 24 concept in collaboration with Bistro 24, featuring hot meals prepared from high-quality seasonal ingredients. This will be complemented by a children’s playground made from natural materials, designed to blend seamlessly into the riverside setting and respond to feedback from the first season. The area is gradually becoming a place where people spend more time, rather than just passing through.
The transformation of the right bank of the Danube also builds on long-term interventions. These include the revitalization of the nearby forest park, developed in cooperation with the City of Bratislava, JTRE, and Penta Real Estate. The goal is to create a high-quality public space that preserves the natural character of the area while opening it up to the public. The project will include open meadows for recreation, riverside seating, nature-based play elements for children, and viewpoints overlooking the Danube. It will also incorporate land art installations that enhance the public space and, in some cases, encourage interaction from visitors. The first phase of the park is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026.
Southbank is already starting to deliver on its vision of creating high-quality public space on the right bank of the Danube, even before construction begins, testing how it works in practice through ongoing dialogue with the public.
