In Przymorze Male in Gdansk, an investor has changed his plans for the area adjacent to the former "Baltic" chocolate factory. Instead of the dormitory and apartments for rent that residents protested against, three residential buildings and accompanying investments will be built. Changes are also in store for the former factory area itself - there will be residential and service buildings, but also social and cultural functions.
In Gdansk, investors are increasingly eager to take advantage of the "developer's lex". Time is pressing. The Act on facilitating the preparation and implementation of housing investments and accompanying investments will cease to be in force at the beginning of July 2026. From then on, the special law will be replaced by Integrated Investment Plans (IIP).
In August, in the Pomeranian capital, city councilors approved the construction of two residential buildings with services in the Young City under the spec act (read more here). In September they approved another proposal. It is an example of how, using the "developer's lex", it is possible to adapt the city not only to the expectations of the investor - but also, by way of compromise, to the needs of residents.
Compromise
It concerns a plot of land at 14 Droszyńskiego Street in the Przymorze Małe district, adjacent to the site of a former chocolate factory. "Zakłady Przemysłu Cukierniczego Bałtyk" was established in 1951 from the merger of pre-war chocolate factories and manufactories Anglas, Kosma and Baltic. Production ended in 2023, the company moved the factory to Wloclawek, and the site of the former factory with its surroundings was bought by Torus. It is close to the University of Gdansk campus, office complexes in Oliwa and Przymorze, SKM stops and Grunwaldzka Avenue - the city's main artery.
For the project on Droszyńskiego 14, the investor has already obtained permits for the construction of a private dormitory for more than 230 rooms and apartments for rent in 2022. More than 160 units were planned. The city plan envisaged services at the site.
However, the idea was not to the liking of local residents. They were disappointed, as office buildings were originally planned as part of the service function. The snag was that the pandemic and the shift to remote and hybrid work, but also higher construction costs with unchanging rents - effectively halted the construction of new office buildings. So developers are eager to switch office buildings to what pays more today, which is the construction of apartments for short- or long-term rent. Torus also wanted to go this route.
On the right - Droszyńskiego 14, on the left - 8-11 against the background of the existing development
Torus
But the przymorzans were concerned that they would be affected by the ills of short-term rentals known from other parts of the city, where the rental housing market is booming. It bothered them that this type of development doesn't have to meet the exorbitant parking ratios as a condo. The nearly 400 units originally planned were to include 89 parking spaces.
In the end, the developer made concessions and changed the concept. The "lex developer" proposed a complex of three seven-story multi-family residential buildings with commercial functions. A maximum of 150 apartments and 167 parking spaces will be created. The project was prepared by the APA Wojciechowski studio. The green light for the project was given by the Gdansk City Council at a session on September 25.
Torus must also carry out accompanying investments. It will rebuild the green area on Gen. Bora-Komorowskiego Street, plant about 40 trees, create a playground for children and a recreation zone for adults. It is planned to leave part of the area as open in the form of a flower meadow. Torus must also carry out the renovation of Elementary School 46 on Arkonskaya Street along with the surrounding area: a multipurpose field, a running track and a playground for older children are planned.
Residents protested against buildings in PRS sector, housing will be built
Torus
New life after "Baltic"
However, this is not the end of investment plans. Changes also await the area after the former "Baltic" chocolate factory. Today another application is being processed in the magistrate's office under the "developer's lex", on the plots at 8-11 Droszyńskiego Street the investor plans a six-story multi-family residential building (about 93 apartments) with a service function.
The investment already has the green light from city councilors
Torus
The plans also include a service facility that will "perform a number of cultural and social functions," a theater hall will be built. The historic Chocolatier's House will be renovated, where museum functions are envisaged, among other things. In addition, the investor declares that the post-factory chimney of the former chocolate factory will be preserved as an important element identifying the space and witnessing the history of the place.
