It was supposed to disappear from the city's landscape, but it was given a second chance and is now bustling with life. The 19th-century Gdansk Shipyard hall, which once housed a copper forge, a locksmith shop and a wood drying room - has been transformed into a year-round space for art, gastronomy, relaxation and city promotion.
After years of stagnation, the post-shipyard areas in Gdansk are changing at a dizzying pace - more and more space is being taken up by residential developments. Unfortunately, the newly emerging Young City district is dominated by short-term rentals. And there is no indication that this is likely to change.
In the thicket of new blocks of flats, any initiative that gives the Young City a social and cultural dimension is worth its weight in gold. Such a role is fulfilled by the renovated 19th-century shipyard hall opened in June at 3 Niter St.: 31B, which houses artists' studios, a common area and a catering area. The magnificent building, with a floor area of more than 2,000 square meters, has served various functions over the years - a copper forge, a locksmith shop, a wood drying room, a community center, a canteen and even offices.
In the post-shipyard areas of Gdansk, many shipbuilding halls and buildings did not live to see revitalization - they were demolished to make room for new investments.
New life in the old Hall 31B
Hall 31B was supposed to be demolished because it is the newest building in the former Schichau shipyard complex. But thanks to the fact that the conservator put the site under protection, and we gave the hall a new function - the building was preserved," Alicja Jablonowska, founder of Grid Arthub and 100czni, said in an interview with AiB .
The work, which was carried out by the owner of the site - Shipyard Centrum Gdansk - took a year and a half. Recovered historical elements, such as demolished bricks and tiles, were used in the revitalization. The first floor featured glazed studio showcases made from skylight elements dismantled during the renovation, as well as antique parquet flooring from the sports hall of the Olympic Preparation Center in Cetniewo, a district of Władysławowo.
Grid Arthub is a space designed for artists and a community centered around artistic activity.
Rafal Mrozinski
When we started the renovation, the building was not in a good state of repair, however, we managed to preserve the historic brick walls and steel structure. During the work, we also took care to expose historical details," says Krzysztof Sobolewski, president of SCG Stocznia Centrum Gdansk. - For us, Hall 31B is not only a monument, but also a valuable witness to the history of the Schichau Shipyard and the Gdansk Shipyard, which today can continue to serve the city and its residents.
The building is to be teeming with urban life: workshops and meetings will be held here, the place is to attract both city residents and tourists - especially fans of contemporary art and enthusiasts of the zero-waste idea. The building is home to the Grid Arthub initiative, Plot Social Club, the restaurant Dust. Kitchen and the Gdansk Tourist Organization.
. Thanks to renovation work carried out by SCG Stocznia Centrum Gdansk, the 19th-century hall is now teeming with new life
SCG
Lex developer in the game for the Young City
However, the plans of the site's owner, Stocznia Centrum Gdansk, go much further. The investor has been announcing residential development for years, which we wrote about here. The latest plans call for 340 apartments and over a dozen commercial units. In addition, as part of the so-called "accompanying investments", the investor would revalue part of Steffens Park, develop with greenery and pedestrian infrastructure a fragment of the road lane on Ks. Popiełuszki Street and Główna Street, and rebuild Narzędziowców Street in the Young City.
Warsaw-based JEMS Architekci, which has been working on the concept of developing the former Gdansk Shipyard site with the investor for 7 years, is responsible for the project.
SCG/ design: JEMS Architekci
The current plan, however, allows for the construction not of apartments, but of commercial development (although the Gdansk Study, passed in 2018, already envisaged a residential area), which is why the developer wants to take advantage of the "lex deweloper" housing special law. SCG's application is being processed by the City.
The Warsaw-based JEMS Architekci studio, which has been working with the developer on the concept of developing the former Gdansk Shipyard site for 7 years, is responsible for the project. The urban layout is to be based on the historical layout of the former shipyard's technological roads, and the architecture is to refer to industrial buildings.
We expect to obtain a Location Decision at the City Council session on August 28, and by the end of next year a building permit for the Residential and Accompanying Investment. We plan to start the development in 2027," says Krzysztof Sobolewski, president of Stocznia Centrum Gdansk.
In addition, in October 2025 the investor announces the renovation of the so-called Cathedral building on the site of the former Gdansk Shipyard. The work will take a year and a half. The investor does not reveal details, but an entertainment and catering function is planned in the building.
This is what the Drewnica peninsula may look like. View of Narzędziowców Street
SCG/JEMS Architects
