Krakowskie Dolne Młyny, an iconic gastronomic and cultural complex located on the site of a former tobacco factory, will cease to operate at the end of September, making way for a hotel planned there. As residents bid farewell to one post-factory space, the idea of creating another - on the other side of the Vistula River - has emerged.
The site, with an area of more than eight thousand square meters, is located in Krakow's Zabłocie district, between Romanowicza, Lipowa and Ślusarska streets. Printing houses are currently operating there, and will soon be moved to another location. The daughter of the owners of the printing houses, Magdalena Leyko-Oleńska, who manages the area, has proposed creating the Zabłocie Complex at the site - an atmospheric service and recreational space, a place friendly to people of all ages. The project would take off next summer, with Bartosz Karwat the author of the architectural concept.
Ola Kloc: How did the idea for this investment come about?
Magdalena Leyko-Oleńska: The idea was born naturally, out of the need to develop a service and recreational space for a dynamically developing neighborhood, where this kind of environment is not yet sufficient. Long discussions with neighbors and local residents about the changing nature of the neighborhood and the need for such an investment resulted in the start of the project.
The complex is expected to combine the purposes of cultural institutions, recreational and entertainment spaces and dining establishments
© Bartosz Karwat
Ola: The Lipowa Hall has recently been built in the area, MOCAK, Schindler's Factory, Cricoteka are operating, the Lem Literary and Language Center will be built, how would you like the Zabłocie Complex initiative to complement this part of the city?
Magdalena Leyko-Oleńska: The aforementioned projects concern separate areas. My intention is to create a comprehensive project that would combine the goals pursued by cultural institutions, but also those of recreation and entertainment, such as cafes and restaurants. There is not much space for families in the immediate vicinity, we want to fill this gap and plan, among other things, to create a service offer tailored to this group, but also to build a playground and a mini experience garden. So I would like to see this place become a space that connects local residents, a place for conversations and meetings surrounded by top gastronomic brands. Of course, this will not be possible without finding partners and investors who share my vision for the place.
Visualization, elevation from the side of Lipowa Street
© Bartosz Karwat
Ola: The adaptation of post-factory buildings into restaurants and service establishments already dictates a certain atmosphere of the place, what kind of atmosphere would you like to create and to whom would you like to direct this space?
Magdalena Leyko-Oleńska: Of course, we want to preserve the atmosphere of the place in part, our family has run a printing house here for nearly 50 years. However, I believe that using the history of the place and its character will make the project lively, interesting and unusual. The area of the complex is huge, it will combine a number of quality gastronomic and service projects aimed at very different target groups. There will be places tailored to young people, families with children, but also the elderly. The building will slightly change its post-industrial atmosphere by renovating the surrounding space and creating atmospheric restaurants and cafes.
Ola: Thank you for the interview!
