Mieczysław Pinkus’s tenement house at 18 Wólczańska Street in Łódź is set to undergo a major renovation. The project aims to restore the 19th-century building to its former appearance and functionality, as it currently stands empty. The Flowtektura studio is responsible for the modernisation design of this neglected property.
Pinkus’s tenement house in Łódź
The building was constructed in the 1890s, and was extended at the start of the following century. The development at 18 Wólczańska Street is one of the lesser-known projects by Mieczysław Pinkus, one of the most significant developers in the history of Łódź. Nevertheless, the scale of the building and its architectural grandeur aroused admiration from the outset, so it did not stand out from the other, highly prestigious tenement houses of the developing city. This was emphasised by its prominent corner location at the junction of the streets. It is worth noting that at the time of its construction, it was one of the largest buildings in the area.
Changes after 1945
After the Second World War, the building lost its original purpose as a residential property. Its interiors underwent extensive conversion to serve as offices. The high storeys and spacious rooms were subdivided, which obscured their original layout and destroyed many elements of the décor. The following years saw a lack of renovation, and with it the building’s increasing deterioration. It is estimated that some of the decoration inside and on the façades was already damaged by the second half of the 20th century. Despite this, significant sections of the stucco and woodwork have survived, which today serve as a guide for conservators.
The Pinkus tenement house in Łódź – scope of works
Work to save the damaged historic building will begin with the preservation of the surviving historic elements. The façades will be cleaned and restored, and missing decorative elements will be recreated based on available documents and old photographs. Furthermore, the works will focus on the structural reconstruction of the building and the reorganisation of the interiors. Its functional layout will be altered so that it can once again serve as a residential property, whilst being adapted to current standards. The work will be carried out under the supervision of a conservation officer, which is intended to ensure control over any interference with the historic fabric. The renovation will also cover all installations, which will be replaced with new ones.
The tenement house at 18 Wólczańska Street in Łódź
An extension featuring glazed penthouse apartments with terraces will be added to the top floors of the building. This additional storey has been designed in a restrained manner so as not to disrupt the historic structure. Lifts will also be installed in the building. Once the work is complete, the tenement house will contain around 75 high-standard flats, whilst the basement will house service and retail premises. The area of this zone will be approximately 700 square metres. The development will be complemented by a 24-hour reception, positioning the property in the premium market segment.
design: Flowtektura Design Studio
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