The future of Warsaw’s Intraco remains uncertain. After the owner obtained a demolition permit earlier this year, it seemed that the fate of one of the capital’s iconic skyscrapers was sealed. It turns out, however, that this is not quite the case! A series of subsequent decisions issued by the authorities has led to the proceedings being restarted, and demolition work has been put on hold.
The demolition of Intraco has sparked opposition
The conflict surrounding Intraco has escalated into one of the most high-profile disputes concerning post-war modernist architecture in Poland. Polski Holding Nieruchomości has been arguing for years that the office block, which is over 50 years old, does not meet contemporary technical and economic requirements. The developer points to outdated installations, problems with bringing the building into line with current fire safety and energy standards, and the high costs of any potential refurbishment. In response to these arguments, architects, art historians, community activists and residents of Muranów emphasise that Intraco is an important symbol of Warsaw’s development in the 1970s and a valuable monument to modernism, permanently embedded in the capital’s skyline. When it opened in 1975, it was the tallest office block in the city and one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the country. In their view, this heritage should be protected, not demolished.
Application for inclusion in the register of historic monuments
A turning point in the whole dispute came on 7 January 2026, when the ‘Defenders of Warsaw’s Monuments’ Association, acting on behalf of the residents of Muranów, submitted an application to the Mazovian Provincial Conservator of Monuments to have Intraco listed as a historic monument. The authors of the document argued that the skyscraper possesses exceptional architectural and urban planning value and has been an important feature of the city’s skyline for decades. They also pointed out that similar high-rise buildings from that period in many countries had undergone extensive modernisation and were still in use, as exemplified by the John Hancock Tower in Boston. Despite these arguments, the conservation officer refused the listing in March, ruling that earlier refurbishments – primarily the replacement of the façade in the 1990s – had stripped the building of a significant part of its authenticity.
The Ministry changed the course of the case
However, the proceedings did not end with the conservation officer’s refusal. Following an appeal lodged by the association, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage took up the case. The Ministry overturned the earlier decision, citing an incomplete assessment of the facts and insufficient evidence. At the same time, it did not rule on whether Intraco should be entered in the register of historic monuments. Instead, it ordered the proceedings to be reopened, which completely altered the building’s legal status and reignited the debate over its future.
Why was the demolition of Intraco halted?
The reopening of the proceedings triggered the provisions of Article 10a of the Act on the Protection and Care of Historic Monuments. Until a final decision is issued, no construction work may be carried out, nor may any work be undertaken that alters the appearance or structure of the building. In practice, this meant halting the demolition work on the skyscraper’s structure. The National Heritage Institute (PHN) confirmed the suspension of such work, whilst emphasising that the Ministry’s decision is purely procedural and does not mean that Intraco has been placed under conservation protection. Meanwhile, supporters of preserving the building are hoping that the renewed proceedings will result in its inclusion in the register of historic monuments. The outcome of this case may influence future decisions regarding other valuable architectural projects from the 1960s and 1970s, which also face a choice between costly modernisation and demolition.
A symbol of post-war Warsaw and its successor
Intraco was built between 1973 and 1975 in Muranów, at the junction of Stawki and Andersa streets. The design, by Peter Diebitsch, was carried out by the Swedish firm BPA Byggproduktion AB. At 138 metres tall, the skyscraper was for a time the tallest office block in Warsaw and was one of the most technologically advanced buildings in the country. Over the following decades, it underwent modernisation, but according to the owner, these works did not bring the building up to current requirements regarding safety, energy efficiency and office space standards.
A new office block, designed by the FS&P ARCUS architectural practice under the direction of Mariusz Ścisły, is to be built on the site of Intraco. The building will be 107 metres tall and have 23 storeys. The developer has announced plans to incorporate a façade with photovoltaic panels, energy recovery systems, extensive cycling infrastructure and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility. The building is set to meet the requirements of the EU environmental taxonomy and achieve the highest sustainability certifications, whilst its design will draw inspiration from the silhouette of the historic Intraco building and the neighbouring Intraco Prime office block. According to PHN’s statements, the new tower is due to be completed in 2030.
Source: developer’s materials,propertydesign.pl
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