The presented office building complex is located on the site of the former Warsaw Vodka Distillery "Koneser." The history of this place began in 1897 with the establishment of the Warsaw Vodka Factory. At the time, the factory was one of the most technologically advanced production facilities in Europe. Its golden age occurred during the interwar period. However, the destruction caused during World War II left the factory severely damaged, and it never regained its former glory. Operating in a reduced capacity during the communist era, the facility was eventually closed at the turn of the century, and the site was sold to private investors. To preserve the historical industrial character of the area, the city designated it for conservation protection, initiating a lengthy revitalization process.
In 2017, the historic facades were restored, roofs and floors replaced, and the existing chimney was meticulously renovated, becoming a distinctive feature of this part of Warsaw’s skyline. The site now hosts numerous retail, residential, office, and cultural complexes. The designed office buildings represent the final phase of the entire development project.
The primary concept behind shaping the buildings was to create modern structures that, through their facade tectonics and materials, reference the industrial heritage of this area and Warsaw’s Old Praga, a working-class district. The resulting complex was built on an irregular outline defined by conservation guidelines. On the external side, the new development complements the frontage of the nearby street, while on the interior side, it provides an urban closure for the diverse group of buildings comprising the revitalized quarter.
Both office buildings have six above-ground stories connected by an underground garage. The ground floor extends beyond the facade line of the upper floors on the western side and is topped with a flat roof featuring terraces and greenery. The 5th and 6th floors are recessed relative to the street frontage line, creating stepped forms also complemented by greenery and terraces. Almost all facades are finished with heavy brick, creatively arranged using various techniques. On the street-facing side, the facade is enhanced with steel, cubic bay windows, while on the inner quarter side, the facades feature vertical setbacks, narrowing the building’s profile to adapt it to the irregular plot outline.
