A ghost town behind the fence: what Zbrojovka looked like after it closed
When the historic Zbrojovka factory finally closed in 2006, it left behind more than twenty-two hectares of dilapidated buildings and empty halls. The place that once pulsated with life and employed nearly fifteen thousand people had turned into an abandoned area full of disorder and lawlessness. Part of it was maintained thanks to almost two hundred tenants – from car repair shops to glass, art, and craft workshops to warehouses and truck parking lots, but they only used 20-30% of the space.
The buildings were in a disastrous state of disrepair – they were extremely dirty, smelly, and hazardous to health. We received a demolition order for the entire site and were forced to demolish most of the buildings. Nevertheless, we decided to preserve and renovate four of them because of their historical value. The inhospitable environment attracted squatters, homeless people, and thieves. The entire complex was surrounded by a two-meter brick fence and was inaccessible to the general public – only employees knew about it. People were afraid to go there, and in fact, they had no reason to. Everything that makes a city alive was missing – housing, work, and culture.
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| Nová Zbrojovka at the time when it was taken over by CPI Property Group and began its revitalization, which has been ongoing since 2017. | Most of the buildings and halls were in such poor condition that they had to be demolished for safety reasons – repairing them was no longer possible. |
From a soulless brownfield site to a vibrant urban district
The turning point came in 2017, when CPI Property Group took over Zbrojovka and began to implement its vision for its redevelopment. The demolition of dilapidated buildings, remediation, years of site preparation, the creation of a master plan, project documentation, and tendering for contractors gradually replaced the chaos, disorder, and ghost town. We opened up the site, gradually revitalized it, and created a new modern neighborhood. We built temporary roads, opened up space for pedestrians, and began offering people cultural and entertainment opportunities. We have built temporary sports facilities and Amenities Park, a dog run, a community garden, and many other activities. Today's appearance is completely incomparable to the previous state.
"After its closure, the historic Zbrojovka weighed heavily on the entire neighborhood for many years. It left behind an 'open wound' that we are now gradually healing together with the city of Brno. This cooperation is crucial – the goal is for Nová Zbrojovka to become a self-sufficient neighborhood and connect with the surrounding city districts. Step by step, we are approaching its complete revitalization – and after eight years, huge changes are already visible," says Jan Růžička, Project Manager of Nová Zbrojovka.
Today, it is clear that the transformation has gained tremendous momentum. Nová Zbrojovka is the largest development project in Brno and one of the most extensive brownfield projects in Czechia. In 2024, we began construction on three new buildings – the Morizz and Cubicum residences and the Montowna multifunctional building. The latter will offer 115 apartments for rent and, together with the D4.Office administrative building, which is currently being completed, will provide 17,000 m² of office space and nearly 3,000 m² of retail and service space.
And it's not just about housing. Nová Zbrojovka also has a rich social life. Over the past five years, we have hosted more than 150 cultural, sporting, and entertainment events that have attracted thousands of visitors. We organized about 70 of them, with the rest organized by external organizers. People from the surrounding area like to come here for walks, bike rides, or sports. In short, there is always something going on here. A place that used to be silent is now alive and naturally attracts more life.
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| The former tool room called "Nářaďovna" in 2017. One of four buildings that were of fundamental historical importance in the original Zbrojovka factory and have been successfully preserved | Today, it has been converted into the ZET.Office. This unique office building was completed at the end of 2019. We have preserved its industrial character and, thanks to its unique construction, created unusual loft-style offices |
A transformation that draws people in: the area around Nová Zbrojovka attracts new residents
For example, the neighboring streets in the so-called "Brno Bronx", which for many years were perceived as excluded and less safe, are now undergoing a major transformation. Other adjacent areas in neighboring districts – Zábrdovice, Židenice, and Husovice – are also undergoing significant renewal.
In the last six years alone (October 2019 – October 2025), approximately 1,200 new apartments were sold in locations within a 1.5 km radius of Nová Zbrojovka, in a total of 45 development projects. The most apartments were sold in 2025 (as of October 20, 2025). Similar interest was seen in 2021 and 2024. In contrast, sales were significantly lower in 2022 and 2023, which only confirms the current upward trend (source: Flat Zone app).
As part of the first phase of the project, we made 301 units available last year. Most of them have been sold, but several beautiful family apartments are still available. But this is only the beginning – construction is continuing at a rapid pace, and hundreds of new apartments for sale and rent will be built here in the coming years. However, Nová Zbrojovka offers more than just housing. This modern, sustainable neighborhood also provides jobs, a rich social life, and above-standard civic amenities, including schools, shops, services, and leisure activities. Added to this are plenty of green spaces, excellent transport links, and the advantages of living by the river.
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The site where the Cubicum residence is currently being built, in 2019 | And this is what it will look like – Cubicum will offer 235 apartments ranging from studio to 3-bedroom family apartments with terraces and views of Brno |
Just like Nová Zbrojovka, its surroundings are also being modernized
Over the past decade, the city of Brno, the CPI Property Group, and private investors have invested hundreds of millions of crowns in the areas adjacent to Nová Zbrojovka, fundamentally transforming them. The revitalization has affected roads, bridges, and tram lines. Here are a few examples.
Zábrdovická Street was completely reconstructed in 2018–2019, including repairs to the tram tracks, sewerage system, and water mains. This also included repairs to the bridge and pipeline bridge over the Svitava River. In 2024, work began in cooperation with Nová Zbrojovka to widen Šámalova Street between Zábrdovická and Lazaretní Streets. It will be widened from the original 6 meters to more than 30 meters, and a new intersection will be created on Lazaretní Street. The project also includes the reconstruction of tram tracks and other infrastructure.
A cultivated environment has a clear effect – the higher the quality of the space created, the faster its surroundings develop. Modern residential buildings, new services, and public spaces naturally attract residents and visitors. Streets that used to be gray and deserted are now coming to life with cafes, shops, restaurants, and city life. A cultivated environment naturally reduces crime and increases the feeling of safety. Places that were once feared are now clean, well-lit, and full of movement.
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| We are building Nová Zbrojovka as a city of short distances – everything you need is in one place, within a 15-minute walk | The neighborhood will offer more than just housing. You can live, work, have fun, eat, educate your children, shop, and use all the necessary services here |
Nová Zbrojovka will energize the entire area
"Nová Zbrojovka is gradually growing and transforming into a living organism that brings new energy not only to the neighborhood itself, but also to its surroundings. And that is precisely the principle on which we are basing its development – when we improve the space inside, the positive impact will also be felt outside," explains Růžička.
What's next? The long-term plan is to build approximately 2,500 apartments and 200,000 m² of office space, complemented by shops, schools, parks, and cultural infrastructure. The neighborhood will function as a self-sufficient city within a city – a place where people live, work, and spend their free time, all within walking distance.
Nová Zbrojovka is already attracting high-quality brands, companies, and people. And our plan is coming to fruition – the extensive renovation is revitalizing the entire neighborhood. A dying zone is becoming a modern and lively neighborhood that is bringing new energy to its surroundings.
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Visualization of the D4.Office administrative building and repaired roads | Amenities Park has become a popular and sought-after retreat for sports, relaxation, and entertainment |
