The Hatzfeld Palace in Wrocław was severely damaged during the siege of Festung Breslau in 1945. After the war, a significant portion of the ruins was demolished, leaving only small sections of the mansion – including the portico above the entrance. Nearly 80 years after its destruction, Rafin Developer is preparing to reconstruct one of the most valuable Classicist palaces in Silesia. It will house a luxury hotel under the Autograph Collection by Marriott brand.
The Hatzfeld Palace – a jewel of Classicism
The Hatzfeld Palace, on what is now Wita Stwosza Street, was one of the most prestigious residences in what was then Breslau. The first palace for the Hatzfeld family was built between 1715 and 1719 to a design by Christoph Hackner. The building did not survive for long – it was severely damaged as a result of the shelling of Wrocław in 1760 during the Seven Years’ War. A few years later, Prince Franz Philipp Adrian von Hatzfeld commissioned the construction of a new building. Carl Gotthard Langhans, who later designed the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, designed a Neoclassical residence inspired by Italian architecture. The sprawling palace, with its impressive façade, was built between 1765 and 1773 and, upon completion, occupied the entire block between Wita Stwosza and Krowia Streets.
The history of the monument and its destruction
In 1802, the city of Breslau became the owner of the palace and designated it as its administrative headquarters. During the 19th century, the building’s interiors underwent several alterations, though they essentially retained their stately character. The Classicist structure, however, remained unchanged for nearly 200 years, until the siege of Festung Breslau in 1945. Heavy fighting for the city reduced it to rubble – estimates suggest that overall damage reached 70 per cent, and as much as 90 per cent in the Old Town. The Hatzfeld Palace suffered quite severe damage and plans to rebuild it were abandoned; the ruins were gradually dismantled until the 1960s. All that survived of the magnificent residence was the portico, the vestibule and fragments of the walls.
The Hatzfeld Palace and the path to reconstruction
In the 1960s, architect Edmund Małachowicz secured the surviving remains of the palace and incorporated them into the BWA Awangarda gallery, with a view to their future use during reconstruction. For nearly half a century, the building served as a contemporary art gallery. In 2019, the BWA’s operations were relocated to the main railway station building due to the deteriorating condition of the building on Wita Stwosza Street. In the meantime, the historic portico was protected against further deterioration. Two years later, the property was purchased by the Wrocław-based company Rafin Developer with the aim of restoring this classical gem to the city.
The Marriott Hotel in the restored palace
The architectural practice Greg Architekci has drawn up a design to restore the historic structure and façade based on extensive archival material. The preserved elements of the historic building will be incorporated into the reconstructed edifice. The latest visualisations show the palace in all its splendour. Its interiors will be dominated by light-coloured marble, gilded details, high ceilings and decorative finishes, just as in the residence’s heyday. Once the project is complete, the building will house a luxury hotel under the Autograph Collection by Marriott brand, featuring around 150 rooms, a spa area and conference rooms. The developer is currently finalising arrangements with the Provincial Conservator of Monuments. Once the necessary approvals have been obtained, the process of securing planning permission will begin. Work is scheduled to start in late 2026 or early 2027 and is expected to take around three years.
Rafin to restore the Hatzfeld Palace
The Wrocław-based company Rafin Developer, which has been operating in the Lower Silesian property market for over 20 years, is responsible for the reconstruction of the Hatzfeld Palace. The company carries out residential and commercial developments, and for several years has also been focusing on the regeneration and renovation of historic buildings. The acquisition of the palace ruins in 2021 was the next step in the development of this segment of the company’s business.
investor: rafin-developer.pl
design: gregarchitekci.pl
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