A new residential building is taking shape in Kraków’s Zabłocie district—a boutique-scale project designed by the architectural studio UCEES, envisioned to help define the future character of housing development in this transforming, post-industrial area.
Located on Portowa Street, a site historically dominated by industrial facilities, the building introduces a new chapter for the neighborhood. This development not only redefines its immediate surroundings but also contributes to the ongoing transformation of Zabłocie—a former industrial zone on the right bank of the Vistula River, now part of the increasingly popular Podgórze district.
Zabłocie’s prime location is one of its greatest assets. It sits close to the heart of the city and directly on the riverbank, with easy access to Kraków’s iconic Kazimierz and Main Market Square. “Our goal was to recreate the ambiance and spatial qualities of this post-industrial area, which has undergone significant revitalization in recent years and—like the rest of Podgórze and nearby Kazimierz—has become an appealing place to invest in and live,” says architect Marek Szpinda, co-owner of UCEES.
Currently under construction, the building has an L-shaped layout. One wing runs along Portowa Street, while the other aligns with nearby Jana Dekerta Street. The project is designed to initiate a new urban frontage, smoothly connecting Portowa Street with a future road planned adjacent to the building. Within the structure’s wings, the architects have planned a semi-open courtyard featuring landscaped greenery, recreational areas, and street furniture. This inner courtyard will serve as a vibrant social space, complete with a long communal table and benches.
The building’s design thoughtfully integrates with its urban context. Inspiration was drawn from a nearby cold storage facility dating back to the 1940s. This is reflected in the use of gray brick and a textured, concrete-like plaster on the façade. The muted grey color palette also extends to the courtyard design elements. One exception is the service zone on the ground floor, which is clad in distinctive graphite clinker brick to set it apart.
Contemporary design touches—such as warm wooden finishes in the loggias and window frames, and transparent glass balustrades—add elegance and warmth to the architecture. The building’s monolithic form is sculpturally broken up by articulated corners and a recessed top floor, adding visual interest and lightness to the massing.
The building will consist of eight above-ground levels and two underground levels with parking facilities. It will offer 156 residential units ranging from 34 to 130 square meters. Apartments on the upper floors will offer panoramic views of Kraków and the ribbon of the Vistula River winding below.
Completion of the project is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Key Figures:
Usable floor area: 9,000 sqm
Investor: YIT Development
General contractor: Erbud S.A.
Structural design: Be37.pl
MEP design: Cegroup
Landscape and urban furniture design: Land-Arch Architektura Krajobrazu
Roads: ARG
