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July 7th, 2008
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Divine intervention

New Saint makes a name for itself in the Czech Republic's high-end real estate market

May 21st, 2008 issue

By Kira Rose

JAN PŘEROVSKÝ/THE PRAGUE POST
Lucia Cisno, who runs New Saint's Prague 2 offices, says the company tries to attract "very high-level clients."
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New Saint s.r.o.


Odborů 10
Prague 2
Tel.: 728 189 689
E-mail: prm@prm.com.cz
Current properties: Janáčkovo nábř. 49, Polská 2, Anny Letenské 3 and 5, Vlašská 5 and Hroznová 4, Odborů 10 and 12
New reconstruction project: Hořejší nábř. 25

FOR THE POST
New Saint’s Prague headquarters — like many of this burgeoning real estate company’s other buildings around the Czech capital — fuses nostalgia for the past with subtle intimations of the present. It’s this signature style that has helped attract big-name clients like Johnson & Johnson, Ernst & Young and Philip Morris over the past several years.
Launched here in 2000, New Saint has since converted several historic buildings in Prague and other surrounding cities into luxurious rental properties. The company, which includes its own team of architects, engineers and investors, seems to truly embody the term “one-stop shop,” from the purchase of the building to its reconstruction and rental. It specializes in long- and short-term rentals, helping clients with pretty much every aspect of their move from flat selection to Internet hook-up. New Saint even provides a 24-hour emergency service.      
“We try to attract very high-level clients,” says Lucia Cisno, who runs the company’s Prague 2 office.
New Saint typically rents out 13 to 14 spacious flats in each reconstructed building, ranging from 110 to 180 square meters in size. Clients are typically foreign operators like managers of banks, directors or high-level employees of large companies residing in Prague from several months to several years.
“Every flat must be luxurious, without a doubt, but first of all, they must be original and charming,” says company owner and founder Enrico Fiorentino, who has nearly four decades of management experience as well as an engineering degree.
The focus of the company, Fiorentino explains, is to develop high-end living space within the Czech Republic while “respecting the building’s historical identity, and reconstructing according to the spirit of the town and the quarter.” The result is a synthesis of history with contemporary design and quality.
The exclusivity and charm of every flat is complemented by the detailed and decorative approach of architects and technicians. Another unique feature of New Saint’s properties is courtyards and gardens adorned with flowers, soft lighting and fountains. The company’s integration of research, drawings and layouts, construction, interior design, management and maintenance underscores the company’s dedication to exclusive service, Fiorentino points out.  
“Our budget for the development of each building is more or less double the average of the market, as our bankers know perfectly,” Fiorentino says.  
Adds Cisno: “Clients don’t have to look outside of New Saint.”
Alice Sheiko agrees. When looking for a flat, Sheiko and her husband were disappointed with the lack of interest, missed appointments and poor presentation they received from other Prague-based real estate companies they approached at first. New Saint, on the other hand, Sheiko says, was timely and professional.
“We could not wish for a better company than New Saint and Ms. Cisno to deal with while living in Prague,” Sheiko says.
Cisno, who has a physics degree from the University of Ferrara, has been with New Saint since 2002. She has never looked back.
“It was the dream of my life to find another place and have new experiences,” Cisno says.
She found her niche at New Saint. “I meet people from all around the world, and we become friends,” Cisno says.
According to Cisno, the company’s short-term goals include garnering clients and new properties, and ensuring that all aspects of the company run smoothly. Another aspiration is making buildings along Odborů street, off Karlovo náměsti, into short-term residences with 90 percent annual occupancy rates.
“The company has a lot of dreams — to have a name in the future and become a reference point for everyone,” Cisno says.
New Saint is currently working to develop a Web site, which will help further these goals. Despite currently having no intentions to expand, Cisno says that with a good Web site and continual growth, the company will be able to achieve anything.
“I love learning new things and opening the mind,” Cisno says. “The source of my passion is every day.”   
Kira Rose can be reached at specialsection@praguepost.com


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