Jordanowka is not the only building in Jordan Park whose current condition leaves much to be desired. Also waiting for a better future is "Bajlandia", which for years has been demanding renovation and an idea for development. It looks like that moment may finally come, as Krakow's Board of Urban Greening has announced a tender for the lease and reconstruction of the facility. However, there is a catch - will it affect the final shape of the investment?
"Bajlandia" was created as part of the activities carried out in Jordan Park after 1973, when its area began to be managed by the District National Council "Zwierzyniec". As part of the revaluation campaign, the famous "Jordanska" was then erected, which formally referred to the pre-war circular pavilion, which was demolished after a fire in 1967. Work also covered the southwestern part of the park, where a toboggan hill was paved and an amphitheater was built, at the foot of which a pond was arranged. At one of its banks stood a one-story pavilion, initially serving as a buffet open in the summer season and a water equipment rental, later operated by the Sports and Recreation Center "Krakowianka".
View of the pond and the Bajlandia building in Jordan Park, 2023
Photo: Oshkosh, © CC BY-SA 4.0 | Wikimedia Commons
The ugliest building in Jordan Park
In the late 1990s, the pavilion was leased by Krzysztof Labudda and the Henryk Jordan Foundation for Active Kids. Later, the building was "enriched" with a setting of questionable aesthetics. The exterior walls were covered with a bright, celadon shade, and on the corners, in turn, shapes were painted to imitate rustication and blind window openings. With the passage of time, not only the aesthetic vision, but also the very substance of the building, which for more than a dozen years now has been scaring rather than enriching the landscape of Jordan Park, has grown old. "Bajlandia" has become an example of how infrastructure created in the People's Republic of Poland, as a result of years of neglect, not only ceases to serve residents, but also negatively affects the quality and aesthetics of public spaces.
Bajlandia in Jordan Park in 2012
Photo: Januszk57, ©CC BY 3.0 | Wikimedia Commons
As the building has never been an architectural pearl, its future could be predicted in two ways - Bajlandia was either suitable for demolition or thorough renovation and revitalization. As late as 2023, Piotr Kempf, then director of ZZM, claimed that the building would most likely face demolition. However, Krakow's Board of Urban Greenery eventually chose the second option - "Bajlandia" will undergo renovation and minor expansion according to a project prepared several years ago. What will the renovated "Bajlandia" look like and what will be inside?
Concept for rebuilding "Bajlandia" in Jordan Park in Cracow
design: Pracownia Inżynierska mgr inż. Czesław Hodurek | tender materials of ZZM in Kraków
Rebuilding of "Bajlandia"
In January, the Management of Urban Greenery in Krakow announced an open tender for the lease and renovation and reconstruction of Bajlandia according to the project prepared back in 2021 by Pracownia Inżynierska Czesław Hodurek. Due to the poor technical condition of the building, it was earmarked for a complete reconstruction, which is intended to expand its functionality, increase usable space and adjust the aesthetics of the building to the surrounding park, while preserving the character of the block.
Enlarging the overhang on one side (so that it would be possible to add an external staircase to allow access to the roof level - creating a café-view terrace), introducing large glazing on the side of the fountain, and a temporary summer canopy (in the color of the so-called Jordan River) has been proposed. In order not to change the shape of the building, it was proposed to plant the overhanging attic with vegetation and move back the glass railing - thus it would be invisible to walkers at the park level
- describe the project architects.
It is worth noting that the visualizations prepared for the project are for illustrative purposes, which online commenters accept with moderate enthusiasm. Indeed, the visualizations show a building with gray concrete facades and a brutalist aesthetic. However, a closer reading of the documentation included in the bidding materials reveals a bit more about the designers' intentions. For the facade, a creamy white color was proposed, with anthracite window frames and other aluminum and steel elements. As with the previous building, the attic overhanging the building will be clad in wood. In the new version, however, vegetation will hang from the roof of "Baylandia," behind which glass railings will be hidden. However, not all aspects of the project are clear - the documentation presented does not include pro-environmental issues and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Concept for the reconstruction of "Bajlandia" in the Jordan Park in Krakow
design: Pracownia Inżynierska mgr inż. Czesław Hodurek | tender materials of ZZM in Kraków.
The interior arrangement of "Bajlandia" will be entirely on the side of the lessee. According to the content of the tender offer, the organizer, which is Krakow ZZM, will evaluate not only the amount of rent proposed by the bidders, but also the nature of the catering business conducted in the building. A restaurant or café is to be located inside.
Concept for the reconstruction of 'Bajlandia' in the Jordan Park in Krakow
design: Pracownia Inżynierska mgr inż. Czesław Hodurek | tender materials of ZZM in Kraków
there's a catch
Although the initiative to renovate the "Bajlandia" in Jordan Park seems apt, its implementation may not go so smoothly. The tender announcement of the Board of Urban Greenery shows that the potential tenant, in addition to the rental fee, is obliged to fully finance the reconstruction according to the project presented by ZZM. Given the moderate commercial potential of "Bajlandia," it can be expected that there will be few takers for such terms. However, if such takers are found, there is a danger that they will seek to minimize the cost of reconstruction at all costs. For such an uncomplicated project, the quality of materials and workmanship is crucial.
Amphitheater in Jordan Park in Cracow
Photo: Mach240390 © CC BY-SA 4.0 | Wikimedia Commons
It probably won't be worse than it is now, but carrying out the renovation of a city-owned building under a tender in which the public sector's input is kept to a minimum creates the danger of a low-quality implementation. The participation of private entities in the co-creation of public spaces can be a good thing, but one should always keep in mind the power of market mechanisms, which play a decisive role in such a process. In view of the budget problems that Krakow is currently facing, one can ask oneself whether this is really the best time to conduct such an investment .
A deserted Jordan River in the summer of 2024
photo: Przemyslaw Ciępka
And when will Jordanowka be renovated?
The situation is completely different in the case of the second important architectural structure in Jordan Park. Jordanowka, also known as "okrąglak", built in 1974, has been demanded by residents for several years. It currently stands empty and is falling into disrepair. A project to preserve and modernize the building was created in 2023, and a public consultation was held, in which residents indicated what function the renovated Jordanowka should serve. However, it looks like the renovation of Jordanowka will finally get underway, as in the - very modest - 2025 budget, 3 million zlotys have been secured to be used for the project. This is certainly not the entire amount that will be needed for this purpose, as back in 2022 the cost of modernizing and renovating the roundhouse was estimated at PLN 5.6 million. It can therefore be expected that the residents of Krakow will have to wait a little longer to drink coffee in Jordanówka.
Jordanówka renovation project in Jordan Park
© ZZM in Krakow
We will soon find out whether "Bajlandia" will be renovated in the near future - tenders can be submitted until January 31 this year, and the opening of envelopes will take place on February 5. The Urban Greenery Board will then select the most favorable proposal.
