The tenement house at 30 Knapowskiego Street, one of the few surviving witnesses of the historic buildings in this part of Poznań, has undergone thorough modernisation to restore its former splendour. Thanks to the determination of the Management Board of Communal Housing Resources (ZKZL) and financial support from the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego’s (BGK) Surcharge Fund, the building, whose technical condition not long ago threatened demolition, has once again become a functional and aesthetically pleasing place to live in.
Built in 1905, the tenement house at 30 Knapowskiego Street is one of the few surviving elements of the original buildings in the area. Its historical value has been recognised and the building has been included in the list of architecture to be included in the municipal register of monuments. Before renovation work was undertaken, the building was in a deplorable state. Destroyed ceilings, a neglected façade and general structural instability meant that one of the scenarios considered was its demolition. Fortunately, this finality was averted.
The modernisation of the townhouse was completed in Q4 2024, involving a wide range of construction and conservation activities. Partial demolition and replacement of the ceilings was carried out, allowing the building to be restored to stability. The staircases were reconstructed in accordance with the original architectural details, and the front elevation regained its historic ornamentation, preserving the original style. The roofing, on the other hand, was replaced in order to preserve its former shape and form.
The building before and after renovation
The renovation also included the replacement of window and door frames, the installation of new flooring, floors, window sills and balustrades. The refurbishment work also concerned the chimney flues and the sanitary and electrical installations in the residential units and in the common parts of the building. In addition, new gas and district heating connections were made, equipping the building with a modern central heating centre.
After the completion of the renovation, the tenement house offers 20 modern residential units, including 5 flats on the ground floor adapted for people with disabilities. Thanks to the solutions applied, the building meets all modern standards of comfort and safety. ZKZL plans to complete the process of tenants settling into the flats by the end of 2024.
The total cost of the investment amounted to nearly PLN 6 million. As much as 80% of this amount was obtained under a non-refundable loan from the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego’s Surcharge Fund.
Source: Zarząd Komunalnych Zasobów Lokalowych w Poznaniu
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