Drucianka Campus is entering the decisive phase of the development. On the site of the former Warsaw Wire, Pins and Nails Factory in Praga North, a mixed-use complex comprising offices, retail and service premises is taking shape. The development, covering an area of nearly 38,000 square metres, is due to be completed by the end of 2028.
A new chapter in the factory’s heritage
Liebrecht & wooD Poland has commenced construction of the Drucianka Campus on the site of the former Belgian Joint-Stock Company ‘Warsaw Wire, Pins and Nails Factory’. This is the developer’s latest project in Praga following the success of Centrum Praskie Koneser, based on breathing new life into historic post-industrial buildings. By the end of 2028, around 30,000 square metres of office space and 8,000 square metres of retail and service space will be built here. The development is intended to serve companies seeking an attractive working environment and a wide range of services, dining options and cultural events. A survey conducted by Kantar Polska amongst Koneser employees revealed that 80 per cent of respondents feel that working in a revitalised environment has a positive impact on them. As Magdalena Bartkiewicz-Podoba, CEO of Liebrecht & wooD in Poland, emphasises, the development is designed to foster team integration, support day-to-day work and encourage activities after work.
Drucianka Campus in Praga
The new complex is being built at the junction of Praga North and Praga South, in an area being developed as part of the New Centre of Warsaw programme. It is just a few minutes’ walk from three major transport hubs: Warsaw East, Vilnius Station and Warsaw Stadium station. Rail connections, the second metro line, trams and buses are all available nearby. The redevelopment of Warsaw East Station is also underway and is due to be completed in 2029. Once the work is complete, the station will serve over 50,000 passengers a day and, in future, will have direct access to the M3 metro line without the need to leave the station building. Marc Lebbe, Managing Partner at Liebrecht & wooD, points out that the developments underway in Praga are gradually transforming the entire district, and that Drucianka Campus is being built amidst new residential estates, including the Drucianka Wschodnia project being developed by SGI.
Over 100 years of ‘Drucianka’ history
The plant’s history began in 1899. At that time, a Belgian company opened a factory on Objazdowa Street. It produced nails, chains, metal mesh and barbed wire, and the company quickly established a strong position in the Kingdom of Poland. During the interwar period, the plant employed around 360 people. The factory was the scene of numerous workers’ protests and the activities of Karol Wójcik, who later became the company’s patron. In September 1939, the buildings were bombed, whilst during the occupation the Gestapo arrested over 30 workers, who were deported to Auschwitz concentration camp. The factory was almost completely destroyed by fire during the Battle of Praga in 1944. After the war, the company was rebuilt, nationalised and transformed into the Karol Wójcik Warsaw Spring Factory, producing components for the automotive, aviation and agricultural industries. The factory finally ceased operations in 2000.
Drucianka Campus – a historic factory given a new lease of life
After the factory closed, the abandoned buildings fell into disrepair for many years, falling victim to vandals and thieves. The Praga Residents’ Association “Michałów” campaigned to preserve this valuable industrial complex, but a breakthrough did not come until 2010. It was then that the former factory was listed as a historic monument. In 2022, preparations began for the regeneration of the historic buildings. As part of the works, the historic buildings are to be restored to their former appearance and given new functions related to retail, services and events, whilst three six-storey office blocks will be constructed between them. The entire project is being carried out in accordance with the developer’s ESG policy. The buildings are set to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification, confirming the highest standards of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly construction.
Source: press materials from Liebrecht & wooD Poland, napradze.waw.pl
See also:Warsaw|Historic building | Architecture in Poland | Metamorphosis | History | Renovation
