One of the most remarkable and tallest buildings in Bratislava is the headquarters of the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS). As one of the few buildings in the capital exceeding 100 meters in height, it reaches 111 meters and has 33 floors. Its prominence makes it easy to locate near the city center, close to the significant Námestie slobody (Freedom Square).
The building was completed in 2002. A notable fact is that its construction cost the country 5 billion Slovak koruna, roughly €166 million. The project was designed by Pavol Paňák and Martin Kusý. The building won the Building of the Year 2002 award, recognized for its world-class technological solutions and excellent construction quality, making it an architectural landmark for both Bratislava and Slovakia.
The NBS headquarters is a major administrative center, providing workspace for about 1,000 employees. It is also highly energy-efficient, using modern technologies such as a cogeneration unit and an energy management system that optimizes overall energy consumption, classifying it as a so-called smart building.
Visually, the NBS building resembles a modern office tower. Its core is constructed of reinforced concrete, while the exterior features a metal-and-glass façade. Among the interesting materials used, 3,500 m² of Portuguese flamed granite was incorporated in the entrance areas and parts of the facade. The building also houses an art collection exhibition and a money museum with a currency cabinet.
Directly in front of the building stands a bronze sculpture of a Celtic coin called “Biatek”, created by academic sculptor Ľudmila Cvengrošová. Installed in 2008, just before Slovakia adopted the euro, the artwork symbolizes the transition from the old currency to the new one.