On the site of the former sanatorium "Health" - one of the most beautifully located plots of land, right next to the pier in Orlowo - a new investment is planned. The investor has a legitimate permit to demolish the ruins and erect a new building, but questions about the ultimate nature of the project are again returning.
Although it is located in one of the most beautiful corners of Gdynia - right next to the pier in Orłowo and the Kępa Redłowska nature reserve - it has been awaiting new development for several years. On the plot of land at Zaciszna 2 Street, the ruins of the former sanatorium "Zdrowie", which operated here until 2005, still haunt the area.
The building was built in 1962 as the Holiday and Treatment Home of the Union of Municipal and Land Industry Workers. After its opening, interest in resting in the charming Orlowo was so great that after just five years the three-story facility was expanded by two more floors, increasing the base to 160 beds.
The building attracts lovers of urbex, or the exploration of abandoned places
photo: Ewa Karendys
In 2005, the facility was closed down. The reason? The risk of a landslide nearby. Since then, the building has changed owners and attracted lovers of urbex, or the exploration of abandoned places.
Green light for demolition and new development
The fate of the site may soon change. Just last year, the Pomeranian governor issued a permit for the demolition of the ruins and construction of a new building. The permit includes "the construction of 20 commercial units of temporary residence providing hotel services and the construction of an underground parking lot." Architect Zbigniew Reszka of the Arch-Deco studio is responsible for the project, who, in an interview with A&B, indicated only that he does not want to comment on the investment at this stage. The building permit is already legally valid. The height of the building is 19.5 meters (32.8 meters above sea level), and the volume is 19,300 cubic meters.
All indications are that instead of a typical hotel, one can expect investment apartments or a condohotel.
There have been fierce discussions around new functions for the site in the city. In 2017, city planners prepared a draft local development plan, which envisioned a residential function at the site.
The former sanatorium "Health" in Orlowo
photo: Ewa Karendys
Such a decision was met with criticism from activists and some residents, who wanted to preserve the current function. In the end, the authorities acceded to these voices. The plan, passed in 2019, provides for tourism services with the admission of health services.
This will allow for the development of a hotel or sanatorium-medicine project, which we hope will allow the owners of the facility to renovate and, in fact, build a facility for such a purpose. This will create one of the most attractive tourist destinations on the Polish coast
- explained the City in 2019.
The boundary between a hotel and investment apartments
In 2017, we collected signatures for a protest against the construction of an apartment building at the site
- recalls Lukasz Piesiewicz of the Common City Association, a city councilor of Gdynia since 2024.
And he adds that the protesters succeeded at the time in persuading the then mayor Wojciech Szczurek to keep the existing sanatorium and treatment or hotel function at the site.
If, instead of a hotel, there will be a collection of apartments sold as commercial premises with separate land registers, it will be a big loss for the city, Lukasz Piesiewicz says in an interview with A&B. - I think such a function goes against the spirit of the local plan. We wanted a hotel to be built in the area, which is, after all, a gem of Gdynia, that would generate additional value for the city, if only because events and conventions can be held there. The hotel has a single manager, and it is easier to maintain order. I fear that we are facing a "bookinization" of this space.
Last year, the Pomeranian governor agreed to demolish the ruins
Photo: Ewa Karendys
