Baťa Skyscraper | Zlin

The Baťa Skyscraper, also known as Building No. 21, is a functionalist administrative building located in the industrial complex of Zlín, Czech Republic. At the time of its completion, it was the second tallest non-residential building in Europe, serving as the worldwide headquarters for the Baťa shoe company.

Visual Characteristics

The structure stands 77.5 meters tall with 16 floors, featuring a reinforced concrete frame with a characteristic 6.15 x 6.15 meter grid. The exterior is clad in red brickwork with large horizontal windows and white concrete elements. A defining feature is the external vertical technical shafts and the unique mobile office of the director, which is a fully functional elevator cabin.

Location & Access Logistics

The building is located at třída Tomáše Bati 21, 760 01 Zlín. It is accessible via trolleybus lines 1, 2, 6, 8, and 9 to the "Náměstí Práce" or "Školní" stops. The Zlín central train and bus station is a 10-minute walk (approx. 800m) to the west. Paid public parking is available at the neighboring Building No. 22 or the Great Cinema parking lot.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction took place between 1936 and 1938 under the direction of architect Vladimír Karfík for Jan Antonín Baťa. It was built on the site of a former industrial zone in the Dřevnice River valley. The building utilized innovative American-style construction methods, allowing for the completion of one floor every ten days.

Key Highlights & Activities

The 16th-floor rooftop terrace functions as a public observation deck with a café, providing panoramic views of the Zlín functionalist urban plan. Visitors can tour Jan Antonín Baťa’s elevator office, which includes a desk, sink, and air conditioning. The building currently houses the Regional Authority and the Tax Office, but the foyer and top floor are open to tourists.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on the ground floor and the 16th-floor terrace. The rooftop café provides refreshments and shaded seating under umbrellas. The building is equipped with high-speed elevators and features full 5G mobile coverage. Information plaques in English and Czech are situated in the ground floor lobby.

Best Time to Visit

The rooftop terrace is optimal for photography during the late afternoon (16:00–18:00) to capture the "garden city" layout in soft light. The building is open on weekdays for internal access, but the rooftop is also accessible on weekends. Clear days are essential for visibility of the surrounding Vizovice Highlands.

Facts & Legends

The director's elevator office was designed so that Jan Antonín Baťa could manage the company while moving between floors to check on departments without leaving his desk. A common local legend suggests the building was designed to be easily converted into a hospital or warehouse by removing the internal partition walls, a hallmark of Baťa’s flexible functionalist philosophy.

Nearby Landmarks

Bata's Institute (Buildings 14-15) (0.1km East)

T. G. Masaryk Square (0.6km East)

The Great Cinema (Velké kino) (0.3km South)

Congress Center Zlín (0.5km Southeast)

University Center Zlín (0.4km Southeast)