First renovation works begin in Stara Rzeznia
Vastint Poland has signed a contract with ERBUD for the comprehensive revitalisation of the first of three historic buildings in the Stara Rzeznia complex in the centre of Poznan. ERBUD will renew the brick façade and renovate the interiors. The former kindergarten building, located on the corner of Garbary and Grochowe Laki Streets, will eventually be transformed into an office and service facility. The revitalisation plan for the main part of Stara Rzeznia is currently the subject of public consultations organised by the authorities of the City of Poznan as part of the procedure for adopting the local plan.
Following the granting of permission, the redevelopment and adaptation of the building designated as H17, which first served as the headquarters of the commercial department and then as a day-care centre, is now underway in Poznan's Stara Rzeznia. The scope of work includes renovation of the façade, reconstruction of the internal layout, replacement of windows and roof, and complete replacement of the installations to suit the new purpose. In the longer term, the other two buildings on Garbary Street, that once housed the management of the meat processing plant and served as the former gatehouse, will undergo a similar transformation.
The contractor for the revitalisation work that is about to begin, ERBUD, has already carried out a few similar projects, including the revitalisation of Hala Koszyki in Warsaw - one of the contemporary symbols of the capital; Wroclaw’s Basecamp student residence, which was built in the revitalised Mammut bakery and the Koneser Centre in Warsaw's Praga district. Add to this, ERBUD has also restored the baroque Malachowski Palace in Spa Park, Naleczow to its former glory.
"We love revitalisations and always respect the original character of such spaces. Stara Rzeznia in Poznan has the chance to become a symbol of the city, and the great sentiment the residents have for it is an additional motivation for us. Although it is not a large contract from the group's perspective, we feel honoured to be involved in such a prestigious project," says Jacek Leczkowski, Vice President of ERBUD Group.
"It will be a foretaste for the residents of Poznań of what we want to achieve on the entire site of the former meat plants. Cooperation with such an experienced contractor guarantees the success of the project," says the investor's representative, Michal Wojciechowski, Senior Project Manager at Vastint Poland. "It is worth adding that, literally within days, we finished cleaning works in one of the largest buildings of Stara Rzeznia, the future theatre and performance hall. We have cleared the interiors of the trappings of the communist period, i.e., among other things, of the piping, plaster, and industrial ceramics. The aim of these works was to restore the floors and walls to the condition that this building had when it was completed over 120 years ago, and to prepare for the start of proper conservation of the essence of the building," ads Michal Wojciechowski.
The overall revitalisation plan for Stara Rzeznia, developed by Vastint, envisages restoring the splendour of the historic buildings and transforming this city quarter into an urbanistically coherent and architecturally interesting mixed-use complex with an estimated built-up area of over 80,000 m2. The post-industrial buildings and the new development will be used for offices, flats, cultural facilities, shops, service, and catering outlets. The diversity of functions and scale of the development will create a vibrant, socially inclusive space. The project envisages very high ecological standards for the entire architectural setting.
The investment area is approximately 5.5 hectares, located in the northern part of the centre of Poznan within Garbary, Grochowe Laki and Polnocna Streets. It is a remnant of the city slaughterhouse, which was shut down in the 1990s. Stara Rzeznia was designed by the city building councillor Felix Moritz and erected between 1895 and 1900.