Rare perks for renting

For many young professionals and foreigners on temporary contracts in Prague, purchasing an apartment in the city is too big a commitment, but at the same time, a cramped, rundown rental on the outskirts of the town just won't cut it, either.

There is, however, a third option, says Jan Lepša of Albertov Rental Apartments (A.R.A.), pointing to features of his company's latest project in Vyšehrad.

"It is a new concept in apartment rentals," Lepša said. "If [you're] looking for an apartment, we have the biggest offer in one place."

Located a few minutes from the city center by tram or metro, the A.R.A. project consists of units varying in size from 1+kk to 4+kk.

"All apartments are rented fully furnished with new and cystom-designed furniture," said Lepša. "Everything is new and modern."

The outfitting and furnishings include a few extras not always found in Prague rentals, like a washer and dryer, dishwasher, oven, stove and refrigerator. The project also has extra security features like a video monitoring system, as well as 24-hour service and a reception desk. Most apartments have either a balcony or a garden, and all have big windows to let in natural light.

Lepša touts the neigborhood as one of the project's main draws.

"A.R.A. is almost in the city center but in a quiet part of Prague," he said, adding that the area has no shortage of shopping options. There are supermarkets, a pharmacy, a bank, newsstands, a florist and a butcher all located nearby.

"You can enter the shopping center through the garages, so you don't even have to go outside in bad weather," Lepša said.

As for dining, La Gallerie restaurant, a subsidiary of A.R.A, is beside the complex, and has an extensive wine cellar, summer terrace and a cozy café.

The historic Vyšehrad neighborhood has several parks dotted with plenty of hidden treasures to keep Sunday strolls interesting. The 10th-century Vyšehrad Cathedral, which overlooks the Vltava River, is said to be the site of the first Prague settlement. The nearby Vyšehrad cemetery is the final resting place for such famous Czech figures as writer Karel Čapek and composer Antonín Dvořák.  

Lepša says that an added advantage of renting from A.R.A. is that since there is one owner and one management company for all of the apartments, you can rent directly and skip the agent fees tacked on to most rental properties. Currently open apartments range in size from 36 sqm to more than 100 sqm, and rents start  between 12,413 to 23,260 Kč, not including utilities and service fees. 

Emily Thompson can be reached at
ethompson@praguepost.com