In one of Warsaw’s most valuable Art Nouveau townhouses, the ceiling collapsed. We are talking about the abandoned building standing at 22 Górnośląska Street, known for its richly decorated façade and unique architectural details. Although the building has been falling into disrepair for years, it still attracts the attention of passers-by with its striking décor. Today’s incident emphatically demonstrates the dramatic state of this monument and the urgency of decisive action to protect it.
The incident occurred this afternoon. A bang sounded in the three-storey building at 22 Upper Silesian Street, known as the Leon Breslauer House. Concerned by the noise, residents of neighbouring buildings and passers-by alerted the services. Nine fire brigades and a specialist rescue team were sent to the scene. A fire was initially suspected, as smoke was coming from the building. After recognition, it turned out that the ceiling on the third floor had collapsed. Fortunately, no one was injured.
Despite its great value, the building has been vacant and deteriorating for many years – even though it was officially declared a protected building in 1990. Since then, the Mazovian Provincial Conservator of Monuments has repeatedly appealed to the owner to carry out work to save it from further degradation. As it turns out, however, little has been done in this regard. The building inspector who arrived on the scene today declared the structure stable, but firefighters left the building due to the risk of further ceiling collapse.
Leon Breslauer’s tenement house was built in 1904 and is a unique example of Warsaw’s Art Nouveau. Its façade is full of details inspired by nature and the world of fantasy. Passers-by are attracted by the entrance gate decorated with dwarves with the date “1898” on their shields. The interior also retains many of its original design elements. The building survived the Second World War without major damage, although much of Upper Silesian Street was destroyed at the time.
After the war, the tenement was nationalised and the spacious flats were divided into smaller units. Over time, the Art Nouveau gem began to fall into disrepair. Years of neglect left it in such a state that the inhabitants were forced to leave their home. Since then, the monument has stood empty, deteriorating year after year. Today’s ceiling collapse clearly shows how urgent the need is to save this unique building. If concrete and immediate action is not taken, another bang could mean the end of the existence of one of the most beautiful representatives of Warsaw’s Art Nouveau. Will this be the end of the building standing at 22 Górnośląska Street? Let’s hope not.
Source: tvn24.pl, warszawa.naszemiasto.pl
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