The City of Warsaw plans to subject dozens of tenement buildings that have been out of use for years to comprehensive modernisation. The ambitious modernisation programme, covering more than 43 buildings in five city districts, aims not only to restore their residential functions, but also to improve the aesthetics and quality of life in the capital. The programme is expected to provide more than a thousand new flats for Warsaw families in the coming years.
Warsaw has many historic tenements that are in need of thorough modernisation. The city, working with the districts, regularly assesses their technical condition and renovation possibilities. Particular attention is paid to the ownership status of the buildings, which is often a key element in investment planning. The aim is not only to preserve the historic architectural heritage, but also to increase the number of available public housing units.
103 Solec St. Photo by Mateusz Polkowski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PL, via Wikimedia Commons
“Our priority is to restore abandoned, often dilapidated buildings to use, especially their residential functions. We are gradually succeeding in concluding the ownership issues and, after an analysis of rationality and usability, we are including more buildings in the programme. This is a long and very complicated process, so the list of tenements to be renovated is not closed all the time. Alongside the construction of brand new flats and the renovation of vacant buildings, this is another pillar of Warsaw’s housing policy,’ – stresses Aldona Machnowska-Góra, Deputy Mayor of Warsaw.
The renovation of 20 tenements, which are already at an advanced stage of preparation, is included in the ‘100 projects for the next mayor Rafał Trzaskowski’s term of office’. This work is expected to be completed by 2028. Praga-Północ is home to the largest number of buildings to be modernised – as many as 29. Another 4 buildings are in Praga-Południe, 2 in Mokotów, and 1 in Śródmieście. The total cost of these investments is estimated at around PLN 475 million. Preparatory work is currently underway in several locations, including at Stalowa 35 annexe, Łochowska 15, Ząbkowska 19, Mała 5, Stalowa 34 and 54, Wrzesińska 14, Lubartowska 22, as well as at Solec 103 and Dolna 35 and 37 streets. Work on these buildings is expected to be completed within the next five years.
However, the list of buildings to be modernised is not closed. The city is still examining further addresses, analysing their investment potential. New locations have recently joined the programme, including buildings at 11 and 13 Brzeska Street and 12 Ząbkowska Street, with modernisation planned by 2030. Wola is also preparing for the project, which includes seven properties, of which three buildings at 8A Brylowska Street, 12 Gibalskiego Street and 43 Żelazna Street will be developed in the first phase.
The facades of the townhouses scheduled for modernisation will be renovated and their interiors fitted with modern heating systems and bathrooms. The work will also include bringing the buildings into line with current fire safety regulations and accessibility for people with disabilities. The city is successively applying for financial support from the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) Surcharge Fund. Since 2018, the city has already received more than PLN 311 million in support, of which around 110.1 million has been paid out in 2024. Further applications for more than PLN 104.9 million are pending.
Between 2018 and 2023, 21 buildings were modernised at a cost of around PLN 134 million, resulting in a total of 346 new residential units. In addition, 40 buildings were thermally upgraded and more than 10,000 vacant buildings were renovated. Modernisation of tenements is one of the pillars of Warsaw’s housing policy. This process not only increases the number of available flats, but also contributes to improving the quality of life in the capital, while preserving the historic character of the city.
Source: Warsaw CityHall
Read also: Architecture | Tenement | City | Warsaw | Architecture in Poland
