The historic Nadodrze railway station in Wrocław will undergo comprehensive renovation in the coming years. A hotel, catering spaces and a museum dedicated to the memory of Jews deported from the city during World War II will be created inside the historic building. DL Invest Group is responsible for realising the investment. The Katowice-based company bought the building in 2022 for PLN 15 million.
Nadodrze railway station worth preserving
The plans to modernise the time-bitten station are the result of months of consultations between the new owner and the Lower Silesian Provincial Conservator of Monuments. Initially, the developer intended to extend the complex with a new building, but the conservator did not agree to changes in the station’s surroundings that could disturb the historical urban layout. As emphasised in the official communiqué, the spatial layout with the palace gate, view axes and a row of trees is an integral part of the architectural premise and should not be disturbed by new volumes.
Scope of the upcoming changes
The approved renovation and modernisation project envisages restoration of the façade, window and door woodwork, conservation of interior design elements and restoration of the former iconic neon sign with the inscription ‘Nadodrze Station’. The building will retain its original functional layout, with corridors and separate rooms. Plans to introduce open space, which was one of the main points of contention during the investor-conservationist negotiations, have been dropped. Construction work will also include the adaptation of the attic. There will be skylight windows and photovoltaic panels on the roof. The building is also to retain some of its original function as a railway station.
Museum dedicated to the Jews
The part of the investment dedicated to the memory of the Jews who were deported from Wrocław to German extermination camps between 1941 and 1944 will be of particular importance. It was in the area of today’s Nadodrze railway station and Strzelecki square that one of the main collection points was located, from where the deportations were then carried out. The investor announces that a museum commemorating these events will be created in consultation with social organisations and in close cooperation with the conservation officer. The official conservation permit for the works was issued on 7 April 2025. The document applies only to the historic station building, but the conservator stresses the need to protect the entire accompanying spatial layout. Construction work could start at the beginning of 2026, provided the developer obtains all relevant permits.
Wrocław Nadodrze railway station – history
Wrocław Nadodrze station was built in 1868 as one of the last normal-gauge stations in Wrocław. It was designed by Hermann Grapow to serve connections to, among others, Oleśnica. After World War II, the building was the first station in Wrocław to resume rail traffic services. The red brick building is maintained in a historicist style and many of the elements of its design have survived to this day, making it even more valuable and worth saving. The station currently serves regional and fast trains and suburban buses. Once the upcoming renovation is complete, the station will once again become a proud landmark of the city, welcoming travellers to the capital of Lower Silesia.
Source: Lower Silesian Regional Historic Preservation Officer, tuwroclaw.com
Read also: Architecture in Poland | Museum | Monument | Wrocław | Renovation
