The Helena Pal tenement house, located at 8 Marszałkowska Street, is one of the most characteristic examples of luxury functionalism of the interwar period in Warsaw. The building was constructed just before the outbreak of the Second World War, designed by two prominent architects: Hipolit Rutkowski and Maksymilian Goldberg. The order for its construction was placed by Helena Pal, widow of Ferdynand Adolf Pal, co-founder of the “Dobrolin” Chemical Processing Factory. Already at the time of completion, the townhouse stood out not only architecturally, but also functionally, offering modern solutions and luxurious finishes.
The main building is a modernist, four-storey structure designed with an economical but elegant form in mind. The front elevation impresses with a harmony of simple planes, loggias and rows of large bronze windows. Granite is used in the lower part of the façade, while the higher parts are finished in sandstone in a warm yellowish shade. The overall appearance gives the building a representative character, fitting in perfectly with the luxurious trend of late functionalism.
The interior of the building, completed in 1938, is equally impressive. The staircases retain many original elements, such as doors and marble floors, as well as a unique balustrade that combines three materials: wood, metal and glass. Wood dominates the composition, bringing warmth and elegance to the communal space.
Helena Pal’s townhouse is not only the front building, but also the rest of the complex designed for optimum use of space. A C-shaped outbuilding has been erected at the rear of the property to form an open courtyard on the east side. The outbuilding was connected to the front building by an asymmetrically placed link, creating three separate, well-lit courtyards. This was an innovative solution, especially in the very centre of Warsaw, where traditional and dark courtyards-studios still prevailed.
In the lower floors of the tenement, in accordance with Helena Pal’s wishes, space was provided for a musical theatre. As early as 1939, the Malicka Theatre, run by actress Maria Malicka, began operating here. Unfortunately, the period of German occupation brought radical changes. The building was incorporated into the so-called German quarter and the theatre was transformed into the “Deutsches Filmtheater” cinema. The Pal family lived in the tenement house until 1943. However, Helena Pal went down in history not only as the founder of the building, but also as a person involved in charity work. She financially supported the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and supported inventory work at the Evangelical-Augsburg cemetery.
Helena Pal’s tenement house survived the Second World War without major damage. Its interiors now house the Variety Theatre and private flats. In 2018, the building underwent a comprehensive renovation, during which the front façade was restored. The work included cleaning and replenishing the sandstone, replacing or conserving the window frames, and refreshing the ground floor of the building. Care was taken to ensure that any changes were in keeping with the historic character of the building.
The tenement in 1939 and 2024. Source: National Archive in Warsaw and WhiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski
on 24 July 2012, the property was entered into the municipal register of historical monuments of the City of Warsaw, which is a safeguard against possible adverse changes in the future. Today, Helena Pal’s tenement house remains an example of a masterful combination of pre-war elegance, functionality and innovative urban planning solutions, constituting an important element of Warsaw’s heritage.
Source: lapidarium.fundacja-hereditas.pl, polenausfreierwahl.de
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