The Old Printing House on Świętego Ducha Street in Szczecin has come to a standstill. After a year of intensive renovation work, the historic building has been left in a state of shell construction and has remained in this condition since mid-2024. The developer has not specified a date for the return of the construction teams or the completion of the building’s modernisation.
The Old Printing House in Szczecin – history
In 1900, H.B. Juda, a manufacturer of men’s clothing, purchased two plots on what was then Heiligengeiststrasse. A year later, construction was completed on a prestigious commercial building designed by the Szczecin architect O. Zimmermann. The building was given a lavish Neo-Baroque façade with Art Nouveau details. The ground floor housed shops and a restaurant, whilst the upper floors contained warehouses. Even then, the building was among the most technically advanced in the city. This was all thanks to an electric lift, a rarity at the beginning of the 20th century.
The printing heart of Szczecin
In 1921, the property came into the hands of the publishing house Stettiner Verlagsanstalt Huck & Koch. At that time, the interior was remodelled to transform the former department store into a printing works. In the 1930s, further modernisation took place. The neo-Baroque façades were simplified, and the distinctive corner turret was rebuilt. Later, the building served as a printing house; it survived the Second World War without major damage, and publishing activities resumed there as early as 1945. It was here that, among others, “Wiadomości Szczecińskie”, “Pionier Szczeciński” and “Kurier Szczeciński”. For years, the building was one of the most important printing centres in the region.
The Old Printing House by EMELEM
Further changes to the building came with the renovation carried out between 1983 and 1986, when another storey was added, significantly altering the original structure. After the property was sold in 1995, it changed hands numerous times, falling into disrepair in the process. The decline of the former printing house lasted over 20 years. It was not until 2020 that the building came into the hands of the Szczecin-based company EMELEM, which began its modernisation. The project involved partially restoring the building’s early 20th-century appearance and transforming the tenement into a multi-purpose complex featuring a hotel and dining facilities – collectively known as Stara Drukarnia. During the works, numerous details hidden beneath later layers were uncovered, allowing for the partial reconstruction of the original interior.
The project on Świętego Ducha Street in Szczecin
By the time work was suspended in 2024, the historic façades had been partially restored, the window frames replaced, a new roof and patio constructed, and two contemporary, glazed storeys added. Work on the interior finishes had also begun. According to the developer, the main works have been completed and the building has been secured against further deterioration. Whilst the long-standing ruin has been transformed into a building ready for finishing and fitting out, there is still a long way to go before the project is a complete success.
Why has the project stalled?
Representatives of EMELEM cite several reasons for the suspension of works. During the ongoing redevelopment, the hotel partner expected an increase in the number of rooms and changes to the interior layout, which required the preparation of a new design. The more difficult market situation also played a role, prompting the company to re-evaluate the entire project. In addition, issues arose regarding neighbouring plots and their future development. In September 2024, the developer assured that Stara Drukarnia would be completed, yet the construction site remains deserted.
Source: wszczecinie.pl, staradrukarniaszczecin.pl
Read also: Architecture in Poland|Hotel|Makeover|Renovation|Monument|History|Szczecin
