Vastint opens a new chapter in downtown Wrocław
Vastint plans to transform a 1.7-hectare site at Powstańców Śląskich 2-4 in Wrocław into a mixed-use development, marking a new chapter for this centrally located property. The company has appointed TREE Group to demolish the former shopping centre, with works scheduled for completion in mid-2027. The renowned APA Wojciechowski Architekci studio has been commissioned to design the new scheme.
Wrocław continues to evolve. The area along Powstańców Śląskich Street is an important part of the city and has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Today, this downtown area is entering another phase of change, with the street undergoing modernisation and new office and residential developments taking shape. Designed in 2003, the shopping centre at Powstańców Śląskich 2–4 quickly became outdated, becoming unprofitable and ultimately no longer meeting expectations. Its customers moved to newer destinations and online channels, where e-commerce boomed and streaming services replaced traditional cinema-going habits. Detailed analyses showed that the building’s complex structure was very difficult to adapt to modern requirements, including safety standards. Therefore, two years ago, the previous owner closed abandoned Arkady Wrocławskie and began demolition works.
Now Vastint has hired the renowned APA Wojciechowski Architekci studio to design an open urban quarter. The award-winning designers are known for projects such as the revitalization of Elektrownia Powiśle, concept of Port Praski and the Skyliner skyscraper in Warsaw, as well as Riverview housing estate in Gdańsk and the Business Garden complex in Wrocław. Based on an analysis of the surrounding area, at Powstańców Śląskich 2-4 the architects are planning a group of new buildings with a mix of functions and heights. In the future, ground-floor storefronts will reintroduce retail and service functions along the street and meet the everyday needs of local residents. Modern offices and well-designed residential units will be located above. Parking spaces will be located in an underground garage, freeing up ground-level space for pedestrians and greenery. Public spaces, street furniture, as well as new trees and shrubs, are planned around the buildings, enlivening the currently mostly paved area. The proximity of tram stops, the interchange hub, and Wrocław Główny train station provides easy access by public transport.
In line with a permit issued by local authorities, the professional company TREE Group is continuing demolition works on behalf of Vastint. Approximately 50 people are carrying out the process using specialised equipment such as demolition robots, mini-excavators or mini-loaders. So far, in addition to dismantling part of the office building’s glass façade, internal strip-out works have been carried out, removing furniture, doors, installations, and building materials intended for reuse. Installation of scaffolding will begin in the second half of May, enclosing the structure once again.
"We are experienced in carrying out work in such central locations. We want this necessary job to be as minimally disruptive to the local community as possible. Therefore, we will continuously monitor the situation and respond to ensure the highest level of order in the vicinity. Furthermore, we are in talks with the Roads and City Maintenance Authority (ZDiUM) and the Wrocław's Municipal Engineering Department to ensure smooth and safe traffic flow," says Tomasz Żymełka, Demolition Manager at TREE Group.
The next stage will involve the gradual demolition of the reinforced concrete and steel structure. In addition to maintaining the highest safety standards, the experienced contractor is tasked with documenting the carbon footprint in line with the international BREEAM NC v7 standard. All elements recovered from the demolition are sorted into nine categories. In line with the principles of the circular economy, building materials — such as glass and aggregate recovered from ceilings, walls, and columns — will be responsibly reused. In total, at least 95% of the materials will be recycled or recovered. The former development will be razed floor by floor by the middle of 2027.
"We believe in the potential of this central location, which is why we decided to invest in its new chapter. We want to prevent the depopulation of the city centre and attract both young professionals and families, as well as new residents looking for an attractive place to live, work, and spend their time. We are in the early stages of design and are analyzing various development options. The project timeline will also depend on our discussions with the city authorities," adds Rafał Kociatkiewicz, Project Manager at Vastint Poland.
Vastint acquired the site at Powstańców Śląskich 2–4 in mid-2025 and bringing more than three decades of experience in the Polish real estate market. The company builds and manages offices, hotels, and apartments with extensive amenities and convenient access to urban infrastructure. In Poland, it is known for projects such as the award-winning Riverview development in Gdańsk, the seaside Waterfront project in Gdynia, and the distinctively green Business Garden office campuses in Warsaw, Poznań, and Wrocław. Furthermore, the company has developed the B10 office building and the Element by Westin hotel near the Wrocław-Mikołajów train station, and plans to begin construction of apartments at Max Born Square in Nadodrze in 2026.
