For years, the site of the former runway of Gdansk-Wrzeszcz airport in Zaspa, Gdansk, remained in investment limbo. Today it's a large construction site: investors are erecting six buildings, including two 55-meter towers, and more buildings are planned. The empty space is being transformed into a dense urban development - is this a change for the better?
The former runway in Zaspa, Gdansk, at Jana Pawla II Avenue and Hynka Street, is one of those areas that for years were regarded as an urban "hole of shame." Until 1974, an airport functioned there under the name of Gdansk-Wrzeszcz. Indeed, the settlement in Zaspa was only in the plans - the first blocks of flats made of large plates began to be put into use in the second half of the 1970s. It was the idea of building a housing complex for 50,000 residents that led to the selection of the airport's new, current location in Rebiechowo.
Another investor is building on the former runway. Robyg's investment
Robyg
concept selected in a closed architectural competition
While the northern part of the former runway has lived to see new residential and commercial development, the southern part has seen years of investment stalemate. Originally, city planners saw a service function at the site - a commercial building was in the plans. It was not until 2022. The City Council passed a new development plan envisaging residential and commercial development.
The development being erected by Spravia
Ewa Karendys
In 2015, the site of the former runway was bought by Spravia (then operating under the name Budimex Real Estate). The concept for the new development was selected later that year in a closed urban-architectural competition. The winner was a proposal by Studio Kwadrat from Gdynia, which cooperated with Wolski Architekci studio on the project. A total of about 1,100 apartments were envisaged.
The winning concept is an attempt to return to traditional urbanism with the character of a quarter development," Wieslaw Bielawski, then vice-president of Gdansk, commented on the results of the competition.
former airport area full of blocks
Since then, on the side of the SKM station, the developer has builttwo 55-meter-high residential buildings with services in the first floors, and another stage is under construction, including two six-story buildings with 226 apartments (project: Studio Kwadrat).
Two existing 55-meter buildings built by Spravia
Ewa Karendys
But this is by no means the end of changes at the site, as more buildings are planned. The construction of two six-story buildings with a total of 250 apartments has just been announced by Robyg, which bought part of the site from Spravia.
The centerpiece of the development will be a green avenue with walking paths, recreation areas and an outdoor gym. The first floors will house 15 commercial premises, with a total area of nearly 2,000 sqm. The entire development is maintained in a minimalist style, based on light colors, natural materials and simple lines. The architectural form and the arrangement of common areas allude to the area's airy past, according to the developer. The buildings were designed by Wolski Architekci office from Sopot.
"Runway" investment. Design: Wolski Architekci
Robyg
But new buildings under the name Zaspa High on the former runway in Zaspa will also be erected by Spravia. Next to the existing 55-meter ones along Hynka Street, two new 17-story buildings will be erected, with a total of 288 apartments and retail and service units.
Next to the existing 55-meter towers will stand two more 17-story buildings
Spravia
Who will deliver on the promise of building an urban square?
A strong point in the work of Studio Square, which won the competition in 2015, was the urban square.
We wanted to continue the idea that guided the designers of Zaspa - to create large, open spaces. The core of our concept is a square that would be created between St. Casimir's Church and Inpro's residential buildings, which have services on the first floors. We want to connect these public spaces, creating a square that would be a supra-neighborhood square. Various artistic events and fairs could be held here," Jacek Droszcz of Studio Kwadrat said at the time.
The area of the former runway in Zaspa
Ewa Karendys
Are these assumptions still valid and which developer will carry out the project?
We will build the city square in the part belonging to us," cuts off Andrzej Miś, spokesman for Spravia.
After these projects are completed, there is still room for more buildings, but developers Spravia and Robyg, when asked by AiB about their plans, took water in their mouths. What is known, however, is that according to the local plan, taller - 13-story buildings will appear on the side of the footbridge over Jana Pawła Avenue and Rzeczypospolitej Avenue, which is being extended.
Two more 17-story buildings will stand next to the existing 55-meter towers
Spravia
