The city is launching a tender to select a redevelopment contractor. The changes will transform the former Pulaski shaft buildings into a gaming and technology hub. The aim is to revitalise and redevelop the buildings in the area of the shaft that once served the mine.
The works are expected to take 32 months. Their aim is to create a place that respects the old architecture and gives the city a boost.
The construction of the Gaming and Technology Hub is a unique investment for many reasons. The site of this project is a unique and historic complex of buildings of the former KWK “Wieczorek” coalmine. As a result, some of the existing post-industrial buildings will be adapted for the Hub’s needs, and new buildings will also be constructed. Our city is already home to many companies connected with IT and e-sport. The gaming and technology Hub will not only enable them to use space adapted to their needs, but it will also attract more entities to Katowice,” says Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice.
This is a valuable area which is listed in the register of historical monuments. The buildings are over a hundred years old and are a valuable example of industrial architecture. The investment involves cleaning the old buildings, revitalising them and adding modern parts. There will be office space, coworking spaces, recording studios, laboratories, IT infrastructure facilities, as well as conference rooms and educational facilities.
The design work is being carried out by the AMC Andrzej M. Chołdzyński studio. The studio has begun designing the multifunctional building that will be built as part of the second phase of the investment. It will be located to the south-east of the historic shaft building, and inside will be spaces for e-sports, TV and film studios. These will be accompanied by directors’ rooms, production support rooms and training rooms for gamers. Another new feature will be an underground car park that will accommodate 300 cars with a bike room. The deadline for the design documentation is the end of March 2025. The next implementation step will be the tender process for the construction of the facility.
Earlier, an inventory and expert evaluation of the technical condition of the buildings in the area of the Poniatowski Shaft was also carried out, which will ultimately be revitalised as part of the sixth stage of the project. The studies will be used to further analyse the adaptation possibilities of the hoisting machine building, the workshop and ventilators building, the shaft top with the hoisting tower, the laboratory and the bathhouse, ” says Jarosław Łuczyński, director for cubature investments at Katowicki Inwestycje S.A..
The city wants the rebuilt buildings of the “Pułaski” shaft to become a “New Technology District”. Gaming and e-sports companies and other technology companies are to operate here. It is also intended to be a recreational area for all residents to use.
Funding has been obtained for the construction of the Katowice Gaming and Technology Hub. More than PLN 309 million in funding was granted under the Innovative Infrastructure to Support the Economy measure of the European Funds for Silesia 2021-2027 programme.
project: AMC Andrzej M. Chołdzyński
source: UM Katowice(www.katowice.eu)
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