Polski Holding Nieruchomości has obtained a permit to demolish the Intraco skyscraper, which has dominated the northern part of the capital’s city centre for half a century. The decision marks the definitive end of this building’s history and paves the way for the construction of a new office building, designed in accordance with current technological and environmental standards. The announcement of the investment has aroused interest in the industry and strong public reactions, as for many Warsaw residents, Intraco remains an important and integral part of the city’s landscape.
Five decades of Intraco
The Intraco skyscraper celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. In the investor’s opinion, this is an age which, in the case of a tall office building, means growing problems. The work undertaken in the past to modernise the building did not allow it to meet the parameters required by today’s market, especially in terms of installations, safety and energy efficiency. For PHN, operating in a commercial environment, the quality of the space offered and the possibility of further development of the property portfolio are of key importance. In this context, demolition was considered a more rational solution than another costly modernisation.
Intraco’s construction in post-war Warsaw
Intraco I was built between 1973 and 1975 in the almost completely destroyed district of Muranów, at the intersection of Stawki and Andersa Streets. The project was entrusted to the Swedish company BPA Byggproduktion AB, acting on behalf of the foreign trade company “Intraco”. The building was intended for foreign technical and commercial representations, which was prestigious in the 1970s. For a short time, it was the tallest office building in the capital and one of the few places where dozens of foreign companies operated.
Late modernist architecture
The design was created by Peter Diebitsch, and the proposed form was in line with the late modernism trend. The compact, prismatic structure and dark green glass façade distinguished the building from the other buildings in Muranów at the time. The original ceramic cladding was replaced in 1998 with new cladding after the previous material had become significantly worn. The 138-metre-high tower with 39 floors offered approximately 31,500 sq m of office space. Inside, there were restaurants, a bar, conference facilities, service outlets and an underground car park for 200 cars.
PHN and the decision to demolish
Last summer, PHN publicly announced its intention to demolish Intraco, and the permit it has now obtained confirms that the plan will go ahead. The investor emphasises that the decision was preceded by various analyses. At the same time, the announcement of the demolition has provoked opposition from some residents and groups interested in preserving the architecture of the second half of the 20th century. For many people, this building is a symbol of a specific stage in the city’s development, which gives the entire investment a dimension that goes beyond strictly market considerations.
New Intraco office building
The new facility is designed to respond to current challenges related to energy efficiency and comfort of use. PHN announces the use of environmentally friendly solutions, including photovoltaic panels integrated into the façade, energy recovery systems, extensive bicycle infrastructure and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility. The project will be carried out in accordance with the EU environmental taxonomy and is expected to achieve the highest levels of certification, such as BREEAM, WELL, WiredScore, SmartScore and Access4You. The selection of the demolition contractor will take into account experience and minimisation of nuisance to the surrounding area.
Continuation of the idea on a new scale
The architectural design for the new Intraco was prepared by FS&P ARCUS under the direction of Mariusz Ścisły. The designed tower will reach a height of 107 metres and will have 23 floors. The smaller number of floors will improve interior lighting and working conditions. The form of the building is intended to refer to the original idea of Intraco and complement the neighbourhood, including the recently completed Intraco Prime office building. Demolition is scheduled to begin at the turn of the first and second quarters of 2026. If everything goes according to plan, tenants will move into the new Intraco in 2030.
UPDATE
On 7 January 2026, the Provincial Office for the Protection of Monuments in Warsaw received an application to enter Intraco in the register of monuments. The document, submitted on behalf of the residents of Muranów by the Association for the Protection of Warsaw’s Monuments, highlights the architectural and urbanistic value of the building and the serious negative consequences for the image of this part of the city that its demolition would bring. The authors of the application challenge the owner’s economic and technical arguments, including those concerning air conditioning, referring to examples of similar skyscrapers in the United States that have retained their original form, such as the John Hancock Tower in Boston. In the opinion of the petitioners, Intraco could be preserved and thoroughly modernised, rather than removed from the city skyline. The Rzeczpospolita newspaper has also taken an interest in the matter. Importantly, in accordance with Article 10a of the Act on the Protection of Monuments, from the moment the proceedings are initiated until the final decision is issued by the conservator, it is prohibited to carry out construction works and activities that could change the appearance of the building. This means that demolition cannot be carried out until the application has been considered.
Will Intraco be saved? We will follow the issue and report on developments in this case.
Source: investor materials, propertydesign.pl
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Intraco today and the new design. Photo: Google Maps and FS\&P ARCUS
