The Maritime University of Gdynia has announced the outcome of a tender for the sale of a priceless monument, the Złota Kamienica at 41/42 Długi Targ Street in Gdańsk. The only bidder offered a sum of more than PLN 60 million, which was more than three times the asking price. Although the university has decided to sell the property, the transaction has not yet been finalised. Consent must be given by the Polish Attorney General’s Office.
One bid, record amount
Only one bid was received in the tender concluded on 16 June. The person, whose identity was not disclosed, declared a willingness to pay PLN 60,001,001 net. The asking price set by the Maritime University of Gdynia was just under PLN 20 million. Information about putting the 17th-century monument up for sale first appeared at the end of last year.
Złota Kamienica – reason for sale
Złota Kamienica is one of the most distinctive buildings on Droga Królewska in Gdańsk. In 1952 it came into the hands of the Maritime University, which located its Maritime Institute there. The university decided to sell it, explaining this with investment plans and the desire to build a new training ship for students. However, before the transaction can go ahead, it is necessary to obtain the consent of the Polish Attorney General’s Office, which represents the State Treasury. This consent is required under the provisions of the Higher Education Act.
Architectural gem of the Main Town
The Golden Tenement was built between 1609 and 1617 to a design by Abraham van den Blocke, the famous architect responsible for, among other things, the Golden Gate, Neptune’s Fountain and the façade of Artus Court. The building was commissioned by Johann Speymann, Mayor of Gdańsk. The Renaissance townhouse was distinguished by its richly decorated façade with images of allegorical figures, battle scenes and Latin maxims. The building was badly damaged during the Second World War. After 1945, its reconstruction began, which took place in stages and lasted several decades. The façade was fully restored at the beginning of the 21st century.
Złota Kamienica – development possibilities
The building is located in a unique location, in the heart of the Main Town. The local master plan allows for residential and commercial functions, such as a hotel or offices, but due to its status as a historical monument, any changes must be agreed with the conservation officer. According to the plan, it is not possible to change the dimensions of the building or its external appearance. Interventions in the interior layout are also very limited.
City considers pre-emptive right
The city of Gdansk has a pre-emptive right to purchase properties listed in the register of historical monuments. Officials are not making a decision on the matter for the time being, waiting for the official outcome of the tender. According to Dariusz Wołodźko of the press office of the City Hall, the tender procedure has not yet been formally completed and the activities related to the signing of the conditional agreement are still ongoing.
Is the price adequate to the value?
Such a high amount proposed for the monument raises questions about its reasonableness. For the sake of comparison, it is worth recalling that the Market Hall in Gdańsk was sold for about PLN 65 million, and the construction of the new headquarters of the Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office in Śródmieście is to cost nearly PLN 120 million. In this perspective, the price of Złota Kamienica may be both shocking and justified by the prestige of the location and the rich history of the building.
Source: trojmiasto.pl, gdansk.pl
Read also: Architektura w Polsce | Elewacja | Zabytek | Historia | Gdańsk
A fragment of Długi Targ Street in 1935 and today. Source: www.deutschefotothek.de and Marcin Białek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Zlota Kamienica and its neighbour in 1945 and 2021. photo Gdańsk Prestige Zone and Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
