The first building of Stara Rzeznia regains its former glory
Vastint Poland has completed the renovation of the first building within the Stara Rzeznia complex in Poznań. The former so-called Southern Residential Building has undergone extensive refurbishment and has been adapted for new commercial and office functions. The general contractor for the renovation was ERBUD.
"Seven years of preparation for the revitalization of the complex may seem like a long time, but given the complexity of heritage conservation, this should come as no surprise. The meticulous and detailed restoration of the first building is an excellent way to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Stara Rzeznia. And the best is yet to come," says Rafał Przybył, Regional Manager, Vastint Poland.
During the renovation, comprehensive measures were undertaken to restore the historical character of the building while adapting it to contemporary needs:
- Facade and roof: A complete renovation of the facade was carried out, including pressure cleaning of the bricks and manual maintenance of the joints. The roof and windows were replaced, while one original window with a decorative grille, visible from Garbary Street, was preserved.
- Interior layout and structure: The internal layout was redesigned, incorporating a new kitchen and restroom arrangement and adjusting the internal communication system. A new staircase was built to replace the previous one, which was beyond repair. The railings, handrails, and balusters were faithfully recreated to match the original wooden elements from 1898. Some ceilings were replaced, and a post-war annex was removed.
- Installations and energy efficiency: New electrical, heating, water and sewage, fire protection, and ventilation systems were installed. Energy efficiency improvements included attic thermal insulation and energy-saving lighting systems.
- Architectural details and surroundings: The door and window frames were restored, with preserved elements undergoing thorough conservation and replicas created for the remaining parts. A section of the fence facing Garbary Street, including a gate and entrance, was also restored. Historical ceramic elements such as ridge tiles and pillar caps were recreated.
The renovation was preceded by a heritage conservation program covering all historical buildings of the Stara Rzeznia complex. In the so-called Southern Residential Building, now restored, examinations included basement interior inspections, ceiling assessments, structural excavations of foundations, brickwork analysis, and nearly twenty stratigraphic exposure tests across all floors. The research was conducted by Jerzy Borwiński, a specialist in architectural studies, a conservator, and a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. His portfolio includes numerous heritage studies and expert analyses of historical sites, such as the garrison church on Szamarzewskiego Street in Poznań, historic townhouses in the Old Market Square and Ostrów Tumski, the Polish Theatre, the former tram depot on Gajowa Street, window joinery of Kórnik Castle, and the Hendlowska Library in the Rogalin Palace.
The revitalization concept, developed in close cooperation with the Municipal Heritage Conservator's Office, aims to restore the original appearance of the historical structures, preserving the industrial character of these buildings, which form an important part of Poznań's architectural heritage. Representatives of the municipal conservators regularly visited the site, providing guidance and recommendations for specific elements, including components of the former air-raid shelter, which have been preserved and displayed in the building's basement. As per the conservators' suggestions, an original window with a decorative grille, visible from Garbary Street, was retained.
The renovation process also followed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification standards. Sustainable practices included reusing materials from demolition, such as excavation sand, bricks, and steel elements. For instance, steel I-beams from the late 19th century were examined, deemed in excellent condition, cleaned, fireproofed, and repurposed as lintels. Newly introduced materials were selected for low VOC emissions, energy efficiency (lighting), and high thermal performance (window systems). During the attic restoration and the installation of the new roof truss, thermal insulation was added to enhance the building's energy efficiency.
The building was originally designed in 1898 by Felix Moritz, the city building inspector, as part of the first phase of the municipal slaughterhouse construction. During World War II, its basement was converted into an air-raid shelter. As part of the recent renovation, in collaboration with the Municipal Heritage Conservator's Office, elements of the shelter, including armored doors and a steel shutter, have been preserved. Following war damage, the building was rebuilt in 1946 and served administrative functions until 2000, also housing a company kindergarten. Vastint Poland acquired the property in 2018. The renovation works lasted 12 months, with ERBUD as the general contractor. This building is the first in the entire complex to be made available for lease.