The Uphagen Manor in Gdańsk is shining once more! The renovation of the historic building, also known by its historical name ‘Mon Plaisir’, has been completed at 5 Grunwaldzka Avenue. The project was commissioned by the Municipality of Gdańsk, represented by Gdańskie Nieruchomości. The works involved the conservation of the historic structure, the technical modernisation of the building and improvements to its energy efficiency. The total cost of the project amounted to 4.45 million zlotys gross.
The Uphagen Manor, with over two hundred years of history
The Uphagen Manor was built in 1814 as a summer residence for the Gdańsk-based Uphagen family and was named “Mon Plaisir”, meaning “My Pleasure”. The earlier manor house, which had already existed in the second half of the 18th century, was most likely destroyed during the hostilities of 1807 or 1813. For many years, the estate was surrounded by a vast park stretching on both sides of what is now Grunwaldzka Avenue. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the building underwent a reconstruction which gave it its current appearance. After the Second World War, the residence housed, amongst other things, the Swedish Consulate, and between 1976 and 2001 it served as the Wedding Palace. Twenty-five years on, the restored Uphagen Manor will once again be a venue for weddings.
Gdańsk’s Classical architecture
The building has retained its Classical composition, featuring a stately façade, a central risalit and a terrace with a brick balustrade. The structure is topped by a hipped roof covered with ceramic tiles, whilst the façades are adorned with stucco friezes featuring ornamental motifs, rustication and moulded cornices. Inside, the stately entrance halls, wooden staircases, Classical-style doors from the first half of the 19th century, historic box windows with half-columns, wooden shutters and numerous original fittings have been preserved. Conservation research has made it possible to restore the original colour scheme. The windows have been repainted white, the shutters have been given a dark green hue in line with the results of stratigraphic analysis, and the historic brown distemper finish has been retained on the staircases. The contractor for the renovation work at Uphagen Manor was Wezambud from Żnin, selected via a tender organised by Gdańskie Nieruchomości.
Modernisation of the historic building at 5 Grunwaldzka Avenue
This latest project marked the next stage in the long-term work carried out at the Uphagen Manor. As early as 2004, the cellars, amongst other areas, were renovated; between 2005 and 2006, a major roof renovation and maintenance of the window frames were carried out, and between 2017 and 2020, all the façades were restored, including the reconstruction of the historic colour scheme and the recreation of details.
The most recent renovation went far beyond traditional conservation work. Firstly, demolition work was carried out and damaged finishing elements, old installations and faulty ventilation were removed. The foundations were then protected against damp. The cellars were refurbished, the wooden floors were restored, the parquet and ceramic flooring were repaired, the walls and ceilings were repaired, new coats of paint were applied, and a room was prepared to house the heating substation. The historic window and door joinery was also restored; missing elements of the panelling, skirting boards and interior décor were reconstructed; and the glazing of the sliding doors in the former Wedding Hall was conserved. Traditional plastering mortars were used in the building instead of modern gypsum finishes, thereby preserving the historic appearance of the rooms.
The Uphagen Manor: new installations and greater efficiency
The modernisation also involved a complete replacement of the building services. A modern heating substation was installed, along with a ventilation system, new flues and modern sanitary fittings. The building was fitted with lightning protection and fire safety systems, as well as a building management system (BMS). Thermal insulation was fitted to the walls and ceilings from the inside, and the roller shutter boxes and window frames were insulated, reducing heat loss without altering the appearance of the façade. Furthermore, accessibility for people with reduced mobility has been improved. The historic Uphagen Manor is once again beautiful and functional. It will now serve the people of Gdańsk, just as it did in the past.
Source:Gdańsk Real Estate,gdansk.pl
See also:Architecture in Poland|Makeover|Renovation|History|Gdańsk| whiteMAD on Instagram
