Decreased demand in recent years has affected both the residential property market and commercial property market development. Similarly to the situation across the Czech Republic, the market in offices and business and storage premises in Brno has seen a significant downturn and subsequent stagnation. However, we are currently witnessing a revival in developer projects in the commercial real estate sector, including office buildings, retail and also logistics premises. Considering the negative economic forecasts which have been literally bombarding us from every direction, the question is how long this clear market rebirth will last.

Not much is left of the Za Lužánkami sports facility, which used to be the envy of the whole of the Czech Republic. The winter sports stadium went to rack and ruin to such an extent that its ruins had to be demolished. The football stadium, which used to host up to forty thousand fans at the height of the Česká Zbrojovka football club era, is in a similar situation today. Only ambiguous property ownership relations to the surrounding plots of land stand in the way of its demolition and the possible construction of a new stadium one day. The Za Lužánkami swimming pool is not exactly new either, despite some recent remodelling. A new multipurpose sports hall, which was supposed to host the women's basketball world championship one year ago, is also still on the drawing board, so let us be grateful that in spite of this situation, Brno can be proud of one unique sports area.

The construction of a research centre in Královo Pole is about to be completed – to enhance a raft of centres of excellence and to strengthen Brno's leading position in the research field. The building in question will house the ALISI micro- and nano- laboratories.

The Cardiovascular and Transplant Surgery Centre in Brno ranks among the best medical facilities not only in the Czech Republic but in Europe. This year, it celebrated the 20th anniversary of its foundation as an independent facility. Approximately 100 intensive heart, liver and kidney transplantations and 1,100 cardiac surgical procedures are performed in the Brno Centre every year. The operation of the Centre is based on the work of more than 40 doctors, who have saved and retained the quality of thousands of patients' lives.

Since mid-September, Brno has been able to boast about another unique medical facility – the National Tissue Centre. On 15th September, its operation was launched with a ceremony attended by the Minister of Health Leoš Heger, the Lord Mayor of the City of Brno Roman Onderka, Father Zbygniew Czendlik and the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of PrimeCell, a. s. Michal Zahradníček. TheThe globally unique laboratories are located at the Science Campus in Brno-Bohunice and are equipped with unparalleled new generation equipment and technology. The new equipment was granted final approval in late June and full operation got underway immediately after the facility's grand opening.

For the second year, in each issue of our magazine we have been going back in history to visit famous cafés in Brno from the inter-war period within the series of articles Famous Cafés in Brno. The history of Brno's cafés, forming architecturally unique set of buildings, is very rich. Many of them no longer exist while others closed down, but have been recently restored. One of the cafés was even built again on another place based on its original project. However, the fate of their owners or tenants, which we have also mentioned in context with particular cafés, is equally interesting. As our series is coming to an end, it could not do any harm to recapitulate briefly the cafés we have learnt about one by one.

A Guide to 1918-1945 Architecture

The Brno Architecture Trails is a joint project by the City of Brno and the House of Arts of Brno with financial support from European Regional Development Funds. Beginning September 2011, the Brno Architecture Manual (BAM) is available as a freely accessible database, trail markings, printed maps and guides providing those interested in architecture with detailed information about Brno development dating from 1918-1945.

The last day of August saw the monthly get-together of Brno Expats in the welcoming surroundings of the Sunset Restaurant at the top of the IBC building. The weather was wonderful, and several new arrivals in Brno were there nice and early to take pictures of the spectacular views of the city offered by the Sunset's unique location.