During the March session of Wrocław City Council, a decision was taken to allocate nearly 15 million zlotys for the renovation of historic buildings. Townhouses, villas and religious buildings will regain their lost splendour and functionality thanks to a grant from the city’s conservation officer. As many as 29 owners of these properties will receive the funds.
Allocation of funds for the renovation of Wrocław’s historic buildings
The resolution adopted on 19 March sets out how the funds will be allocated for projects carried out in 2026. Support will be provided to 29 properties, with tenement houses and other residential buildings making up the largest group. This comes as no surprise, as Wrocław has a vast number of properties of this type. The amount of the grants awarded is based on an assessment of various factors, such as the state of preservation, historical or artistic significance, and accessibility for residents. A committee comprising representatives of municipal institutions and the local council analysed the submitted applications.
New rules and a wider scope for the programme
This year’s edition of the programme has brought an important change. Properties listed in the Municipal Register of Monuments, which were previously excluded from this form of support, were also admitted to the programme. Until now, the programme had only applied to buildings entered in the register of monuments. Expanding the list of eligible properties significantly increased the number of potential beneficiaries, which translated into a surge in interest in the programme. As a result, as many as 20 out of the 29 selected buildings are listed in this register, and almost all of them are residential properties. In practice, this means greater support for housing associations that previously had limited options for financing renovations.
Renovations of historic buildings and high interest
The expansion of the programme resulted in 177 diverse applications being received. These included, for example, applications concerning buildings that are not listed as historic monuments, as well as proposals for works that did not qualify for funding. Priority was given, however, to conservation works, including repairs to roofs and façades. Applicants with incomplete documentation were asked to provide additional information, which significantly streamlined the assessment process. Among the selected projects were also works on religious buildings, such as the renovation of the organ at St John the Baptist’s Cathedral, work on the façade of St Mary Magdalene’s Church, and the conservation of the chancel at St Adalbert’s Church.
PLN 15 million for various parts of Wrocław
The change in rules has also led to a greater proportion of buildings outside the immediate city centre, which is mainly associated with historic monuments. In districts further from the Old Town, listed buildings are less common; therefore, the expansion of the programme has made it possible to provide support for less recognisable but locally significant buildings. Consequently, the list includes, amongst others, former villas in Borek and Karłowice, as well as tenement houses on Piłsudski Square. Funding will also cover work on façades, roofs and communal areas of properties on streets such as Pomorska, Żeromskiego and Jedności Narodowej. The capital of Lower Silesia will soon be even more beautiful!
Source:wroclaw.pl
See also:Architecture in Poland|Renovation|Historic building|Wrocław |Tenement house|Makeover
