On Szyperska Street in Poznań stands a unique, Prussian in style, faced brick manor house that remembers the 18th century. This forgotten architectural treasure, together with the neighbouring former paper mill building, is now under the care of the University of Arts in Poznań (UAP). While the paper mill building has recently undergone a major renovation (unfortunately, not without a poor superstructure), the manor house is still waiting its turn. The plans are for the monument to regain its former appearance and become an integral part of the university complex, all thanks to the creativity and vision of the artists.
Dworek przy Szyperskiej – history
The manor house at 9 Szyperska Street is a building with a rich history, dating back to the 18th century. It is a valuable example of a suburban bourgeois residence, one of the few to have survived in the foreground of Poznan’s former city walls. Its location in the northern part of Garbar, close to the former river port on the Warta, adds to its historical context. It is worth mentioning that the neighbouring building of the old Paper Mill was built in the first half of the 19th century and its history is linked to Friedrich Barleben, the then landlord of the area.
Current state and hope for revival
The small manor house, typical of late Baroque country residences, has been standing abandoned and deteriorating for years. However, its single-storey, timber-framed construction with a habitable attic and mansard roof conceals unique elements, such as the original woodwork, which is of significant historical value, and beautiful tiled cookers. Next to the building, remnants of the former garden remain. Fortunately, thanks to the commitment of the University of Arts in Poznan, which has pledged to preserve these valuable details, the manor house has a chance for a new life.
The artists will give the monument a second life
In 2022, UAP obtained European funds for the redevelopment of the complex of buildings of the former ‘Trefl’ factory, including the historic manor house. Thanks to this, as Michał Pawłowski, Head of UAP’s Investment Department, points out, the university was able to realise the first stage of the investment, adapting the main post-production building for the needs of the UAP Prototype Shop. Now the time has come for a smaller but equally challenging project – the renovation of the manor house at 9 Szyperska St. Michał Pawłowski reveals that the university recognises the huge potential of the place, especially its intimate character. Plans call for the creation of a small gallery that will become a meeting space for art and cultural people.
Dworek przy Szyperskiej: gallery, café and garden
In addition to the exhibition space, the ground floor of the renovated manor house will also house a café with a garden, which will be arranged in the immediate vicinity of the building. UAP also wants the Collection of the University of Arts in Poznań, which collects hundreds of works related to the university’s over 100-year history, to find its home at Szyperska Street. All this is intended to create a unique atmosphere where, over coffee or wine, it will be possible to commune with art.
Financing and project duration
The cost of rebuilding, restoring and adapting the mansion is estimated to be around PLN 10 million. UAP is currently in the process of raising funds for this, applying for a grant at the Marshal’s Office. The planned duration of the project is approximately 18 months.
Source: gloswielkopolski.pl, staremiasto.poznan.pl
Photos: Tomasz Hejna LAGOMphoto
See also: Architecture in Poland | Renovation | Monument | Metamorphosis | Poznan | whiteMAD on Instagram
