The City of Warsaw has embarked on the next stage of its efforts to develop the massive building known as Szpiegowo. In mid-December, a competition was announced to develop a concept for the redevelopment of the property standing at 100 Sobieskiego Street. The venture is expected to pave the way for the area to be reused for residential purposes. The competition is scheduled to be resolved in June 2026.
History of Spies
The building complex at 100 Sobieskiego Street in Warsaw’s Mokotów district was out of the city’s control for many years. The building was occupied without legal title first by the Soviet Union and then by the Russian Federation. After a long period of disputes and unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the property, the formal takeover of Spygov finally took place in 2022. In January 2025, the site was handed over to the city, which made it possible to start preparations for a competition to design the development of the abandoned complex. As Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski emphasises, once the site had been taken over and the necessary expert reports had been carried out, it became possible to start the competition procedure. The city authorities assume that the site will be used to meet the needs of the capital’s residents.
The origin of the colloquial name “Szpiegowo”
The term Spygovo appeared in colloquial language in connection with the aforementioned long-standing use of the complex by institutions of the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation. At the time, the site remained closed and inaccessible to outsiders, and information about its operation was not strictly protected. Restricted access, constant security and a lack of transparency about the activities there fostered growing speculation about the presence of intelligence services. As a result, the informal name was perpetuated.
Scope of the competition study
The participants in the competition were faced with the task of transforming the existing cascade building, with particular attention to the layout of the flats. The building is listed in the municipal register of historical monuments, so its external form is subject to legal protection. At the same time, the designers must bring the building into line with current regulations and improve the functionality of the interior. The guidelines also include the design of a new building on the side of Sobieskiego Street. It is to be built in the place of the current multifunctional pavilion and the former kindergarten, which are scheduled for demolition. Landscaping of the area around the entire complex also remains an important part of the concept.
Rules and process of the competition for the new Spies
The competition proceedings are planned in two phases. In the first phase, the participants will prepare studies. The jury will select up to five proposals from among them, whose authors will be invited to the second stage. At this stage, full competition entries will be produced, from which the best concept will be selected. The winning studio will be awarded a financial prize and an invitation to negotiate a full design documentation.
Spy and activities to date
Analytical work had already begun before the competition was announced. In 2023, an inventory of the entire complex and an expert technical report were carried out. After the site was taken over by the city in 2025, an additional inventory of the greenery and an analysis of the building structure were carried out. The study made it possible to identify the elements that can be removed without reinforcing the structure. The analysis carried out is of great importance because of the existing premises, which have a considerable surface area and require extensive redevelopment and adaptation to the new housing programme.
Schedule for further work
The results of the competition are scheduled to be announced in June 2026. In the autumn of the same year, the city intends to sign the contract for the design documentation. The new concept work is expected to be completed in August 2027, allowing the long-awaited redevelopment to be tendered.
Funds in excess of PLN 132 million have been secured for the investment in the Warsaw budget.
Source: Warsaw City Hall
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Warsaw | Modernism | Architecture PRL | whiteMAD on Instagram
