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A RT I C L E
Małachowskiego Square and Warsaw Spire:
examples of placemaking
A city is more than just buildings, it also comprises places that
benefit localcommunities.Placemaking isbecomingan integral
part of some developers’ approach to office building design.
A notable example is the revitalized and extended building of
the formerPolishPostheadquarters inMałachowskiegoSquare
inWarsaw. At the development stage the investor entered into
talks with the capital’s city municipal authorities and owners of
the neighbouring buildings on a thorough redevelopment of
Małachowskiego Square. The place that nowoffers just a pave-
ment, a car park and a few fenced trees is expected to establish
itself as another focal point on the capital city’s cultural map in
2016.
It will create a positive experience for Warsaw residents
in a vibrant public space that is set to benefit the neighbouring
cultural, ecclesiastical and office buildings as well.
Another equally interesting example of placemaking involv-
ing an office project is the initiative to construct Europejski
Square on the site where the Warsaw Spire office complex is
being developed. The scheme, which is a symbol of the grow-
ing importance of the Wola district on the capital city’s office
market will feature a park, an amphitheatre and an art gallery.
It was designed by a leading Belgian master planning prac-
tice, whose portfolio includes the Tuileries Garden in Paris
and London’s Jubilee Park in Canary Wharf. It will be one of
the most interesting places in the area given the largely post-
industrial nature of the Wola district. In addition, Warsaw
Spire tenants will be given a new address for their head of-
fices: 1 Europejski Square, a much more prestigious name
than Towarowa Street.
Lipiński Passage and Cedet:
with due respect for history
Care of the urban fabric and respect for history have not
been commonly respected values at all times, but many
developers are now trying to make good past mistakes.
This is best illustrated by Lipiński Passage in Jerozolimskie
Avenue. This historical building constructed in 1898 had
fallen victim to close proximity of Warsaw’s Central
Station, which communist propagandists used to call the
‘
most modern railway station in Europe’. Its richly de-
corated façade finish had been destroyed so that it did
not overshadow the newly-constructed railway station.
Nearly forty years later the investor successfully revita-
lized the building, restoring its beautiful façade. As an
additional amenity to Warsaw residents, the building also
offers restaurant space in its courtyard.
The story of Cedet in Jerozolimskie Avenue is equally in-
teresting. It was constructed in 1951 as one of the most
architecturally outstanding and modern buildings in
Warsaw. It was also one of the first buildings in Warsaw
with an underground car park and was the first scheme to
have solar control devices. A neon sign on its façade filled
passers-by with awe. Unfortunately, parts of the building
burned down in 1975 and during its reconstruction the
municipal authorities decided to simplify the façade and
do away with architectural details. Cedet’s revitalization
and extension recently got underway. Most importantly,
the developer intends to restore the splendour of this
building’s façade finish.
ArtN and Hala Koszyki: an office building
is more than just office space
Office buildings in a city of the 21
st
century should offer more
than just office space. This view is shared by developers of
ArtN and Hala Koszyki. Apart from offices, the ArtN complex
will also provide retail and service facilities focused on top
concepts of young fashion designers, trendy restaurants and
everything that is typical of a big-city lifestyle. It will also house
a BioBazar market, a museum of the former Norblin Factory,
a theatre and an arts cinema. The developer has combined
seemingly contradictory concepts, such as historical architec-
ture with ultramodern design and slow food with innovative
high-tech products.
Hala Koszyki will also be given a brand new look with the
old interior fully restored. In addition, it will be surrounded
by newly-constructed office buildings forming an integrated
mixed-use complex.
The Tides: a new opening
to the Vistula River
The Tides project comprising a marina and an aparthotel is
another office building that will become an integral part of
the capital city’s urban fabric. It boasts both an interesting
design and a river bank location. In contrast to waterside
promenades of other European cities, which are favoured
for residential, working and leisure facilities, this trend in
Warsaw is only beginning to catch up. New schemes con-
structed along the Vistula River will spur further develop-
ment of this area, whose potential has not been fully ap-
preciated so far.
Office buildings form an integral part of the urban landscape,
but their role extends beyond offering merely office space. An
office building of the 21
st
century contributes to creating an at-
tractive public space, offers various functions, replaces unsuc-
cessful developments or fills the gap in the urban fabric with
due respect for the history of the location and harmonizes
with its surroundings. It is a place where you want to be. Such
an approach to office developments helps to promote a more
likeable image of office buildings and is an important step to
making Polish cities more beautiful and friendly.
Piotr Capiga
Office department, Cushman & Wakefield
Metropolitan
