Construction of a new skyscraper is underway at the junction of Grzybowska Street and Aleja Jana Pawła II in Warsaw. The Upper One, standing at almost 132 metres, is being built on the site of the former Atrium International office block from the 1990s. The medusa group studio is responsible for the design of the glass-clad tower, whilst the developer is STRABAG Real Estate, which has set 2027 as the completion date. How is the work progressing?
Atrium International had to go
The development was preceded by the demolition of the existing office building from 1995, designed by Biuro Kazimierski i Ryba. Demolition work was completed in 2023, clearing the site for the new development. Warsaw residents were fond of the old building, so its disappearance was met with a rather negative reaction in the capital. The developer, however, remained unmoved and soon began constructing the multi-storey underground section of the skyscraper. Work then began on the above-ground storeys. The pace of construction was impressively fast, resulting in the building taking shape in a relatively short time.
Upper One and its architecture
The Upper One design features a distinctive, asymmetrical structure with a curtain wall façade comprising vertical, slightly curved window planes. This arrangement creates the impression of a corrugated façade, which breaks up reflections of the surroundings and further emphasises the soaring height of the entire structure. Also worth noting are the five panoramic lifts, visible from the south side of the skyscraper. Once construction is complete, the junction of Grzybowska Street and Jana Pawła II Avenue will gain another landmark, alongside, among others, Q22 and the Westin Hotel.
A project by medusa group, developed by Strabag
The skyscraper will house office space and associated infrastructure. Eight double-deck lifts, serving two levels simultaneously, will be made available to users. Observation decks accessible to tenants will be built on the top floors. Meanwhile, five underground levels have been constructed to provide parking for over 200 cars, including charging points for electric vehicles. The layout of Upper One will allow people to walk through the development site without disrupting traffic on the surrounding streets.
Upper One – progress
Currently, the skyscraper continues to rise. It appears that its structure will soon reach its target height, although the visualisation slightly distorts the proportions and does not reflect the actual dimensions. Work is underway on part of the façade at the construction site, where a number of windows have already been fitted. The lower sections of the building, however, remain covered by scaffolding. Cranes tower over the whole site, indicating that work is in full swing. If everything goes according to the developer’s plans, this time next year Warsaw will be able to boast a new skyscraper in its skyline.
design: Medusa Group
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