The most recognizable building in downtown Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki), is due to soon face competition as work is underway on Zlota 44 – the second-tallest, all-residential high rise in Europe, after the Triumph Palace in Moscow.
Being built by the Orco Property Group, a leading Central European real estate developer, at an estimate cost of US$221 million, the facility will be 192 metres high, have 54 floors and offer 251 luxury apartments, with a total building area of 79,000 square metres.
Designed by a world-famous, Polish-born architect, Daniel Liebeskind, the skyscraper has already become a new landmark of Warsaw and probably occupies a stand-alone position in Poland's construction sector.
Ostensibly, the exclusive residential tower is going to revitalize the neighbourhood that is often abandoned after office hours and besides, Złota 44 will also offer all life-style amenities within a short walking distance or within the building itself through a wide variety of 24-hour concierge services.
However, there is another dimension and more site-specific in nature.
"In the centre of Warsaw there are a few high-rise buildings, but all of them are offices or hotels," said Jacek Zurawski, vice-president and managing director for Poland of US-based project and construction management firm, Hill International. "Złota 44 clearly stands out in Warsaw's down town environment, not only because of the unique shape but also due to the development of public space around the building. Orco's investment will be one of Poland's tallest residential towers and will surpass HSB Turning Torso by just 2 metres."
The project is not without its challenges.
"One of the construction challenges is the differentiated and characteristic structure of the building, which has the shape of a sail. It is the first building in Poland which uses the modular triple glazed unit facade. The facade consists of over 4,000 different elements, which are constructed in a workshop and not on the site. The completed modules are delivered to the site, where they are being mounted by mini cranes. What is more, the building consists of 251 luxury apartments with exclusive and high-quality finishing, each equipped with a home management system that integrates all the controls and functions in one touch screen," he said.
"All technical features, including window blinds, operable facade panels, heating, lighting, ventilation and air-conditioning, can be controlled through this system. The whole building will also be equipped with the integrated building management system," Zurawski added.
Euro 2012
Work on the project is due to completed by July 2012, well within time for the mega Euro 2012 event and to welcome tourists globally.
The first residents are to move into Złota 44 in January 2013, Zurawsi said, adding that the genesis of Zlota 44 can be traced to its uniqueness and trend-setting nature.
"It is created by people for whom architecture is a passion and who wanted to create something really special, unique and timeless," he said.
Undoubtedly, Zlota 44 will likely stand out as a glaring example of the fast-changing landscape of the Warsaw skyline and also serve as a harbinger of change that is long due in Eastern Europe's construction sector.
"Before World War II, the centre of Warsaw consisted mainly of low-rise building with 4 to 5 floors and there were only a few higher buildings with up to 25 floors. During the war, and especially during Warsaw Uprising in 1944, the city was completely destroyed. After the war, part of the building were rebuild in their previous shape, but the majority of Warsaw city centre was taken by the monumental Soviet-style building. Today Warsaw has become modern and interesting from architecture point of view, with Zlota 44 as a symbol of that," Zurawski pointed out.
John Paolin, Vice-President Marketing and Corporate Communications
E-mail: johnpaolin@hillintl.com
Tel: (1) 856 610 6210