The historic buildings in Gościnna Street in the Gdańsk district of Orunia have undergone extensive renovation, as part of the Integrated Territorial Investments programme implemented by Gdańskie Nieruchomości. These historic buildings, full of charm and architectural value, which are part of a former school complex, have been given new life while their historical character has been preserved.
The complex at 17 Gościnna Street comprises two buildings, each with its own history. The pre-war school was built in 1900 and has played a key role for the local community from the beginning. The second building, built around 1930, is believed to have served as a cloakroom or bathhouse, and in more recent years has been used as a scouting centre. Today, both buildings have been adapted to serve the needs of the Gdansk City Family Welfare Centre and the Administrative Area of Gdansk Properties.
School on a photograph from 1910, the school building is marked with an arrow
The comprehensive renovation began in October 2023 and was completed in December 2024. The project involved a wide range of activities, both structurally and aesthetically, all under the supervision of a conservation officer. The former school complex has regained its former glory and has once again become a fully usable facility.
Work on the school building included a number of measures to improve its functionality and aesthetics. Vertical and horizontal insulation of the foundation walls was carried out, which protected the building from damp. The original entrance to the school and the historic division of the internal space were restored, returning the building to its former character. The brick façade of the building was restored, and the roof tiles and flashings were replaced with new ones, refreshing the appearance of the building. New windows and doors with historic forms were also installed, and the interior doors in the entrance vestibule were reconstructed.
The school building before and after renovation
As part of the yard, the staircase underwent renovation and the walls, ceilings and floors were finished to high aesthetic standards. The building has also been upgraded with state-of-the-art features such as a photovoltaic installation, a lift, and a Building Management System to monitor energy and utility consumption, increasing the functionality and accessibility of the building. Work was also carried out on the smaller building, including structural, insulation, installation and finishing work. As a result, it has a new, refreshed look and purpose, and its interiors have been brought up to modern occupancy standards.
Scout hut past and present
All the work was carried out in accordance with the conservation work programme, which allowed the historic character of the buildings to be preserved. The facades, architectural details and key elements of the interiors have been recreated with the utmost precision to best reflect the spirit of the era from which the buildings date.
The value of the works carried out amounted to around PLN 10 million, and the result is not only an aesthetically pleasing renovation, but also an increase in the functionality of the buildings. At present, the renovated buildings serve as the headquarters of the Municipal Family Assistance Centre and the offices of Gdańskie Nieruchomości. Thanks to this investment, the historic buildings have gained a second life, remaining an important element of the Orunia landscape and a testimony to the rich history of the area.
Source: Gdańskie Nieruchomości
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Metamorphosis | Renovation | History | Gdańsk
