The last few years have seen a shift in demand towards quality living outside the city but still within comfortable reach of Prague. With the strengthening economy, grey and long-neglected towns outside of Prague have had an influx of infrastructure investment from developers and local councils alike. These cities with their new shopping centers, quality restaurants, cinemas, and even aqua parks can offer their residents the creature comforts that until recently had only been offered by the capital city.

The new development by the ECM group, Terasy Unhošt, with its close proximity to yet comfortable distance from Prague (17 km) – and two other major towns, Kladno (8 km) and Beroun (17 km) – goes against the earlier trend to build low-cost satellite cities around the outskirts of Prague. Terasy Unhošt, just west of the capital city, will bring 104 unique family homes with full amenities to the small town of Unhošt’, population 4000.

Four types of homes in neofunctionalist style

This building development is designed to satisfy the needs of clients who are looking for a uniquely designed home built from and furnished with modern and quality materials and fittings, according to Kateřina Hainzová, marketing and public relations manager for ECM.

Renowned manufacturers such as Villeroy & Boch, Sedlák Interiér, and Siemens have been selected by project designers Boris Redčenkov, Prokop Tomášek, and Jaroslav Wertig. The team from the studio Atelier A69 is working in conjunction with Atelier ALT, and they acknowledge the influence of the famous functionalism era of the 1930s on their work: Early in the 20th century architects began to change their approach towards design with the notion that in order for a building to be beautiful it must first satisfy the function it was built for.

There are four types of homes on offer, starting with the 125.8 m2 town houses through to 164.9 m2 villas, ranging in price from 5,166,000 CZK to 8,894,000 CZK. All homes have at least two fully equipped bathrooms and a third independent lavatory, either a single or double garage, and most have a small terrace. All the villas enjoy a generous 19.4 m2 terrace. Care has been taken in situating the project north-south with the living areas facing south to take advantage of the natural sunlight. Large windows, sliding doors, and an open floor plan make for a bright and airy interior.

The family homes of Terasy Unhošt will be built in three stages: the first stage, consisting of 27 family homes, is to be completed by December 2007, the second lot of 28 homes by June 2008, and the third stage is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2009.

The ECM group has developed, among other projects, the Longin Business Center located between Wenceslas and Charles squares, which also includes the Marriott Executive Apartments. The group also can take credit for Europort, a 19,844 sq m. multifunctional project in the Prague-Ruzyně airport complex, which incorporates a shopping center, a hotel, and a multi-level car park, and is interlinked to all parts of the airport infrastructure.

Gracious living in a history-rich, natural setting

The project’s whole surroundings have been taken into consideration during the design process. The unique blend of a large pond that the development is situated next to and the open fields and forests it adjoins were used as an inspiration by the architects to intertwine modern living and all its comforts with the serenity and peacefulness of the countryside.

The documented history of the small town of Unhošt’ dates back to the 14th century and the town is known as the gateway to the picturesque Křivoklatské forests. The town may be quiet and laid back but it does not lack any of the basic civic amenities that most families require, including a bank, a number of schools, restaurants, hotels, fitness center, post office, and a library, among others.

For golf enthusiasts it is only a five minute drive from the center of town to the newly established Botanika Golf Club, which not only provides facilities for golfers but also has outdoor and indoor tennis courts, beach volleyball, horse riding and stables; there is also a restaurant and a hotel on the premises. It is also only a short drive to scenic day trips and picnic spots such as the Karlštejn and Křivoklát castles and there are many cycling and walking tracks in the forests adjoining Unhošt’ itself.

Throw in a comprehensive public transport system of direct buses and trains between Unhošt’ and Prague, and a nearby motorway to be completed in 2009, and you have a number of very good reasons why Unhošt’ is set to become a very sought-after area for all those city dwellers who have the country in their hearts.