It is being built between the Palace of Culture and the new headquarters of the Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw. Currently, stone paving is being laid in the square and areas for planting trees are being prepared. If the project goes according to plan, the Central Square will be open to residents in just a few months – in spring 2025.
The realisation of Central Square is part of a larger project, the so-called New Centre of Warsaw, which involves redeveloping the city centre and changing the infrastructure to make it more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. The project also includes the arrangement of new greenery. Examples include the open pedestrian crossings at the Dmowskiego roundabout (read HERE), the reconstruction of Chmielna Street, where the first stage has been completed (read HERE) or the reconstruction of Bracka Street, which has turned into the first woonerf in the centre of Warsaw (see HERE).
Now the time has come to change the face of the area near the Palace of Culture and Science. Previously, the place did not encourage people to spend free time here. Quite old infrastructure, concrete paving or traffic chaos did not create an attractive place to relax. The redevelopment project was prepared by the architectural studio A-A Collective, which won an international competition. The project was selected by a commission appointed by the Office of Architecture and Spatial Planning.
Last year, we started investment work on Central Square, the heart of the New Centre of Warsaw – a comfortable and functional space for residents. This is one of the most important projects of recent years. When the work is completed, next spring, this modern and resident-friendly place in the centre of the capital will be both a symbolic link between the Warsaw that no longer exists and the metropolis of the future,’ said Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of the City of Warsaw, during a visit to the construction site.
This year 30 trees will be planted on the Central Square, and in 2025 another 70 will be planted. The city is relying on a mix of species, including European larch, European linden, ginkgo biloba, narrow-leaved ash and beech. Decorative species such as Japanese pear tree and Japanese magnolia will also appear.
Work is currently underway on the square to prepare the sites for their planting. So-called anti-compression targets are being installed to provide the trees with good growing conditions. Four 7 m deep retention tanks have also been installed, which will collect rainwater. The water thus collected will be used to water the plants.
The area of the square will be complemented by lawns with perennials and flowers. Importantly, the lawns will be available for residents to lie on and organise picnics.
Stone paving has begun on the square, and the former course of Zielna Street near the MSN is being reconstructed. The layout of the pavements and greenery in the square is intended to replicate the network of pre-war streets and the outline of the buildings. The streets will be paved with grey granite. The new surface in the square will also be made of grey, green and red Scandinavian stone. The stone will map the location of the pre-war building on Marszałkowska Street. Some of the stone that is being laid in the square is reclaimed material from the demolition of the basalt pavement of Parade Square. The company Balzola, which is the contractor for the works, has subjected this stone to restoration work.
The construction of the square was preceded by archaeological research. The walls of the tenements of the former Great Street were uncovered. In the uncovered cellars, many objects were found, such as coins, jewellery and flacons of cosmetics. The objects found were taken to the State Archaeological Museum.
source: Municipality of Warsaw
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