The Kohn House in Warsaw – monumental pre-war modernism

The Kohns’ tenement house is one of several surviving pre-war buildings that stand on the eastern frontage of Marszałkowska Street. The six-storey building, standing at number 56, was built in the modernist style, designed by architects Maksymilian Goldberg and Hipolit Rutkowski.

The tenement was built in 1935 for the Kohn family, on the site of two partially demolished buildings, including the two-storey Budziszewska tenement from 1878. It was connected to the preserved outbuildings in the depth of the plot, behind which the “Imperial” cinema pavilion was erected. After World War II in 1945, it was replaced by the “Polonia” cinema, opened as one of the first cinemas in post-war Warsaw. Later, the entrance was moved to the courtyard on the side of Piękna Street.

Already at first glance one can see that the tenement was luxurious. The front, austere façade, faced in yellow sandstone, still impresses with its exquisitely used proportions and high standard of finish. Its monumentalism blends well with the neighbouring socialist realist buildings and the nearby Constitution Square. In the courtyard, which is entered through a narrow corridor or gate, one can see a floor paved with yellow clinker bricks and tall outbuildings from the late 19th century and the 1930s. A semicircular, distinctive risalit dominates the entire setting. In the courtyard of the townhouse, remnants of decor associated with former activities are still visible, such as the canopy concealing the former entrance to the cinema.

The Kohn tenement house in 1938 and 2024. Source: National Archives in Warsaw and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The ground floor of the tenement in 1948 and today. Source: szukajwarchiwach.gov.pl and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The building in 1960 and 2024. Source: NAC – National Digital Archive and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The entrance to the Polonia cinema in 1971 and today. Source: NAC – National Digital Archives and whiteMAD/Mateusz Markowski

The tenement house was home to Franciszek Fuchs (1914-1996) – director and cameraman, collaborator of the Polish Film Chronicle, producer of many documentaries about people of culture and art. He was the author of cinematography for such feature films as ‘Przygoda na Mariensztacie’ (An Adventure at Mariensztat) and ‘Zemsta’ (Revenge). In 2005, the adaptation of the cinema into the “Polonia” Theatre began, which, led by Krystyna Janda, opened in December 2006. on 24 July 2012, the building was entered in the municipal register of monuments of the Capital City of Warsaw.

Source: uletwojegomiasta.pl, warszawa.wyborcza.pl

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