The plot of land left by the demolished 2022 Wroclaw Solpol still stands empty - but that is about to change. The design from Roark Studio, presented in 2023, is going through its final touches before obtaining a final building permit.
In 2022, a chapter in the history of downtown Wroclaw came to an end - a colorful and flamboyant chapter that divided many, but also united many. We are, of course, talking about the Solpol department store building, designed by Wojciech Jarząbek, which since 1993 had been diversifying, or as some would like to call it, "disfiguring" with its postmodern silhouette the neighborhood of the Church of Saints Stanislaw, Dorothy and Waclaw on Świdnicka Street in Wroclaw. After 29 years of operation, however, its end has come - the plot of land previously owned by Polsat Nieruchomości was purchased by developer Noho Investment, which eventually decided to demolish the Solpol. Petitions and protests did not help save the controversial icon of Polish postmodernism, as both the investor and the Lower Silesian Regional Monument Conservator, who refused to enter Solpol in the register, were adamant.
By the end of September 2022, there was no trace of the building, to which some breathed a sigh of relief, while others had to finally come to terms with their loss. However you look at the Solpol case, the milk has been spilled and the colorful shopping center on Świdnicka Street is no more - instead, a new building will stand in its place. In 2023 NOHO Investment announced the results of a previously held competition for a concept of arranging the plot left after Solpol. The winner was the project that came out of the Sopot-based studio {tag:pracownie}.
Roark Studio's proposal for the development of the plot where Solpol stood until recently -,
© Roark Studio,© Roark Studio
novelty on Świdnicka Street
We have already described the body of the building presented by Roark in more detail here, but in brief it should be said that on the plot formerly occupied by Solpol a densely filled quarter building with residential and commercial functions will be constructed. The winning design is a cautious concept and, according to Roark architects, one that establishes a dialogue with the historic architecture in the area. Knowing Solpol's history, it would be difficult to expect a development that stands out strongly from the surrounding buildings. The most distinctive features of the new building certainly include the decorative dimension of the top floor, set back from the outline of the foundations, and the way the ground floor arrangement was planned. This, according to the original concept, was to be shaped by monumental arcades rising to the height of two stories. They were to serve as frames for entrances to arcades and store windows located on the first floor of the building. However, it looks like the final design will be changed, as decided by Daniel Gibski, Lower Silesia Regional Monument Conservator. who finds no analogy for the arcades among Wroclaw's historic buildings. A new concept has already been developed - now the storefronts in the ground floor of the Świdnicka apartment building are to be all glass.
public space -,
© Roark Studio,© Roark Studio
conservation point of view
While redefining the design of the building on Świdnicka Street, we also learn a bit about the conservator's point of view on this investment. It was already known what attitude the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments had towards the post-modern block standing there before, because, despite the efforts of various circles, Solpol was not entered in the register of monuments. Now the plot on Świdnicka Street is to be developed with strict attention to conservation guidelines.
The main thing is to fill in the quarter, which is happening, the gabarits, which are maintained and also result from the local plan. There are many conditions that the developer must meet, such as lighting. He had to, for example, lower the corner a bit," Daniel Gibski, Lower Silesian Regional Historic Preservation Officer, told Gazeta Wyborcza.
The conservator is also taking into account the historical form of the plot, owned by Noho Investment:
Compared to Solpol, it fits in better with the historical surroundings, because it was a rather eccentric formula. In this case, we also have the development of the entire quarter, as it was in history, unlike Solpol, which only filled in the corner and the front part. From a preservation perspective, the development of the whole corresponds to the historical development, so it's better," he adds.
mockup -,
© Roark Studio,© Roark Studio
final straight
Therealization of the new building, which will stand on the site of the former Solpol, is therefore getting closer - the investor still needs a building permit, and before it finally begins, archaeological research must be carried out, which, as Daniel Gibski says, may abound in discoveries, as deep excavations have never been carried out on the plot before. This time, however, it is expected to be different, as the new apartment building will be equipped with underground parking. Archaeologists are expecting discoveries related to a hypothetical church cemetery, which, as with many medieval structures, may have been adjacent to the Church of Saints Stanislaus, Dorothy and Wenceslaus, which rises next door. However, it looks like the archaeological survey will be among the last of the activities taking place before construction begins. According to Noho Investment, the work schedule is expected to appear after the vacations, while minor cleanup work is already underway on the plot to be developed.
