The distinctive building on Politechniki Square is Warsaw's most famous skeleton. The building, which has been unfinished for several decades, has already experienced successive attempts at resuscitation. Now, with a new investor, there is a chance to complete the building and give it a new function.
three decades of construction
Pre-war tenement at 4 Politechniki Square
photo: warsaw1939.pl
The history of the building at 4 Politechniki Square in Warsaw dates back to 1992. It was then that the Building and Housing Cooperative "Bratniak" took over in perpetuity the attractively located plot of land. Construction finally began three years later, but the work was not very spectacular. In order not to lose the building permit, small actions were made from time to time - protection, excavation, relocation of installations. Thanks to this, the investor kept the possibility of building a 33-meter-high building in a place where the 2000 plan stipulates a maximum height of 25 meters.
the dome is gone
photo. investor materials
In the original design from the 1990s, including the sketch attached to the building permit issued in 1993, it can be seen that the mass of the new office building was to continue the dimensions of the neighboring, pre-war townhouses. In addition, its roof was to feature a glass dome on the only set-back floor. However, the lump of the building, completed in 2007, significantly deviates from these assumptions. The building was elevated, and its massing significantly stands apart from its neighbors. In 2011, the developer received a replacement building permit. In the meantime, negotiations were underway with the city over penalties for failing to meet the building's deadline. Eventually, the district authorities agreed to postpone the deadline until 2017.
further postponements
photo: investor materials
Unfortunately, the building could not be completed this time either. Over several months of spirited activity, the building gained some windows with blue glass, and its side walls were plastered. Today these elements are being removed, and the new investor announces a complete change in the appearance of the building, called by some "grandfatheroflatiron".
new investor
photo: investor materials
In 2021 there are new investors and brand new plans for the building. Piotr Bujnowicz and Szymon Lenkowski, who are active in the film industry, have started investing in residential real estate for several years. And this is also the function they want to give to the downtown skeleton. Its new architectural concept was prepared by Blokhauz studio. Visualizations show a fully glazed block with rounded corners. Inside, there are to be ten apartments, an office and a commercial unit on the building's first floor. There are no parking spaces in the building.
big changes, new permit
photo: investor materials
Such big changes will require another replacement building permit. Neither the change of function nor the new facade will be possible within the current permit. Despite this, the investors assume that construction resumed on April 2, 2021 will be completed by 2022. In the meantime, proceedings are still underway in connection with the accrued 400,000 zlotys in penalties for failing to meet previous completion deadlines.
