The boom of recreational apartments in Železná Ruda is coming to an end

Železná Ruda (Klatovsko) - The years-long boom in the construction of vacation apartments in Železná Ruda is coming to an end. According to the owners of local construction companies, the area is already saturated with this seasonal housing. The two-thousand-strong town, which, together with Špičák, is the largest excursion center in the western Bohemian Šumava, wants to limit these constructions. Ruda no longer has anything to offer, said Jiří Svejkovský, the manager of Lesní staveby Nýrsko, which has been building apartments there for seven years.
    "Last winter was very bad, there are also very few nice days for cycling,” said the builder. In the western part of Šumava, the era of these apartments has passed. In the Alps, it’s still a great business, he added. A different builder had great trouble selling luxury apartments in Špičák for 35,000 to 45,000 CZK/m2 this year.
    Lesní staveby constructed nearly 200 vacation apartments in Špičák, which they sold without any issues until this year at prices starting from 25,000 CZK/m2. They converted the former military hotel Prokop into 70 apartments and created seven apartments below it. Between Prokop and the Rixi B hotel, 32 apartments were built in a new construction using bricks and wood. Additional apartments Sruby I and II were built towards Hojsova Stráž near the turnoff to the old hammersmith road. The company renovated two cottages from the First Republic. "62 apartments were created in them,” Svejkovský said.
    Železná Ruda has limited the construction of vacation apartments. It wants investors to focus on the renovation of older buildings. Those who want to build new apartments must pay the city 120 CZK/m2/year. The money goes towards road maintenance, street lighting, and waste collection. The town hall announced a building freeze. "We want a quality mountain town with buildings used year-round,” said Mayor Michal Šnebergr. The area lacks a swimming pool, golf courses, bike parks, and new ski slopes.
    There are opinions in the town that there are too many of these apartments and they bring nothing. Many people fear that an increase in their numbers could bring existential problems for hotel and pension owners. There are nearly 500 vacation apartments in Železná Ruda and Špičák. They are mainly used in winter. The town has 6,500 beds in hotels and pensions. From them, the town hall receives fees that the owners of vacation apartments do not pay. The state provides the town hall with support for 2000 permanent residents, while during the season, there may be up to five times more living there.
    Lesní staveby are now focusing more on apartments in cities where there are promising companies with sufficient work. An example is Okula Nýrsko, which, together with the town and other Nýrsko companies Greiner and Uvex, is preparing the construction of up to hundreds of apartments. The companies plan to significantly contribute to housing for their employees.