Investors have been trying for years to develop the former Gedania site in Gdansk Wrzeszcz, which is under conservation protection. So far without success. The project, prepared by the Gdansk-based studio KD Kozikowski Design, calls for the construction of more than 480 units of collective housing and a sports field with sports facilities. The investment already has the green light from the Pomeranian conservator of monuments.
The area at Kosciuszko Street in Gdansk, which is under conservation protection, has a turbulent past and has often been the subject of political disputes. The site has a symbolic significance: here operated the Gedania Sports Club, founded in 1922. Gedania Sports Club, which became a mainstay of Polishness in the Free City of Gdansk.
In 2019, the urban layout of the former stadium was entered in the register of monuments, the pitch with stands and part of the clubs building at 46 Kosciuszki St. were placed under conservation protection. Over the years, the plot has changed hands, and now the perpetual usufructuary is a company owned by Jerzy Latala, president of Gdansk Shipping. All indications are that construction will soon begin. The project is currently in the final stages of obtaining a building permit.
The investor does not reveal what exactly the function of the " collective residence" is.
KD Kozikowski Design
The area is difficult, while both the city and residents are fed up with the pushback and would like to see the site developed. We will implement the provisions of the plan, a sports field, among other things, will be built," Jerzy Latała, the owner of the site, said in an interview with AiB.
Building a communal residence
He adds that, depending on the paperwork pending with the Municipal Office in Gdansk, construction could begin by the end of the year and take about three years.
What will be built? The plans call for the construction of one building, with some first floors to house commercial units. On the upper floors, 482 units of collective housing are planned. The investor does not give details on whether it will be a dormitory, hotel or perhaps a PRS. The property will also see the rebuilding of a one-story playground support building, which will retain its original function. The design for the new development was prepared by the KD Kozikowski Design studio from Gdansk.
Construction would begin later this year
KD Kozikowski Design
The sports field will be reconstructed in place of the existing one. There will be grandstands, a support building and locker rooms for athletes associated with it. It will be a full-size soccer field," informs Marcin Kozikowski of KD Kozikowski Design.
For the Gedania site, the current local development plan allows new development on the side of Kosciuszko Street.
The project fully respects the provisions of this plan," emphasizes Marcin Kozikowski. - In addition, we took into account two very important aspects of the development. The first is the reference in architectural expression to the characteristic existing buildings on Kosciuszki Street. This was achieved by shaping the facade from brick with characteristic stone details. A passage in the first floor was also designed, referring directly to the same elements in the opposite frontage of the elevation.
The second important aspect is to "honor the monument commemorating the murdered Polish athletes of the Gedania club."
In the design of the new development, the monument will be integrated into the frontage of Kosciuszko Street and thus exposed in the publicly accessible public space, Marcin Kozikowski points out.
The investment already has the green light from the Pomeranian Regional Monument Conservator.
This is another fitting for the development of the former Gedania site
KD Kozikowski Design
The conservator has issued a conservation permit for the new development, including the sports field. The location of the monument has also been agreed upon - the target location and a temporary location for the duration of the work, says Marcin Tyminski, spokesman for the Pomeranian Regional Monument Conservator.
