The grounds of the former Imperial Shipyard are changing hands. After years of protracted plans, the project to build 3,000 apartments is being taken over by Develia. The news caused a stir in Gdansk, as it was this developer that completed Bastion Walowa, the most criticized investment in the Young City area. What's left of the ambitious masterplan?
Presented in 2018, the masterplan prepared by Danish studio Henning Larsen in cooperation with A2P2 architecture&planning and BBGK Architects was impressive. The 16-hectare site of the former Imperial Shipyard, in the hands of Belgian developers Revive and Alides, promised a vibrant piece of the city . It is an extremely attractive site: located along the bank of the Dead Vistula River, in close proximity to the Old Town. The plans included residential and hotel buildings, as well as services and attractive public spaces. The masterplan also analyzed the microclimate; for example, cafes were to be located in places with good sunlight and little wind.
ambitious plans and reluctant implementation
We would like it to be a place for the less affluent, the middle class, so that there will also be more expensive apartments with sea views, but also apartments for young families, retirement homes, dormitories. This is what we hope will happen. The project is flexible enough that any of these functions can exist here
- said in 2018 in an interview with "Gazeta Wyborcza"
Mateusz Mastalski, an architect from Danish studio Henning Larsen.
Since then, the investor has only managed to renovate two historic buildings that opened in 2020: the Directorate-whichhouses office space-and the former Fire Station, where a catering business operates. To date, however, no new building has been constructed. The reason? It dragged on for years to obtain decisions, including an agreement with the city's historic preservation officer.
Design of the planned residential development, Roark Studio
mat. Imperial Shipyard
In 2024, the developer announced the construction of five new buildings and the revitalization of the former Formiernia. The plans include: 388 apartments and 34 commercial units. Now, however, developers Revive and Alides have rather unexpectedly announced that they are selling the site. A preliminary agreement for the purchase of 100 percent of Stocznia Cesarska Development was made with developer Develia, the value of the transaction is PLN 550 million.
The news caused quite a stir in Gdansk, as Develia is the developer that - then still under the name LC Corp - completed Bastion Walowa, the most criticized investment in the Young City area.
The future of the Imperial Shipyard
We asked Develia if it plans to make changes to the Alides and Revive projects.
Detailed designs for Alides and Revive have been developed for the first two phases of the development - once the deal is finalized and a building permit is obtained, Develia intends to implement them. A master plan has been prepared for the entire site, which will form the basis for further conceptual and planning work
-says Kama Polak, representative of Develia.
The investor's announcements about what the new development is to look like are quite vague. Develia only points out that a local zoning plan is in effect for the area, and the investment must comply with both its provisions and the General Plan under preparation.
At the same time, Develia's goal will be to work out a consensus between residents, city representatives and the preservationist, so that a coherent and functional part of the city will be created on the site of the former Imperial Shipyard
- Kama Polakadds.
Once the deal is finalized, the developer plans to develop some 3,000 apartments and commercial units. It is not known which studio will be responsible for the designs.
The masterplan presented in 2018. The project was changed after consultations with the conservationist
mat. Henning Larsen
At this stage, it is too early to confirm details of cooperation with a specific architectural studio
-informs Kama Polak, a representative of Develia.
Although Młode Miasto was supposed to be a mixed-use district, successive investors are abandoning the construction of office functions in favor of residential functions and collective housing. Short-term rentals, which are thriving in this part of the city, are also coming under criticism. Does Develia intend to continue the policy of other investors, who are mainly building small units in the Young City area, typically for investment purchase and rental?
The scale of this development precludes thinking of it in terms of a mono-functional project. Develia will strive to develop this place as a diversified urban fabric, combining residential, commercial, retail functions, and perhaps PRS premises with long-term rental in mind
-replies a representative of Develia.
