A great metamorphosis in an industrial complex! It used to manufacture pumps, today there are stores, services and apartments. A former factory in the center of Leszno has been renovated to become known as the Lofts on Pumps. The key element of the complex is a 19th-century building, and the Informal Architects studio has restored its luster . How does the historic building look after the renovation?
A city we need, but don't deserve," wrote Pawel Mrozek, known in the online reality as One Hundred Years of Planning, in his column about Leszno. Deliberating on the superiority of the Wielkopolska town over other Polish cities, he pointed out that in Leszno everything is old, but well-kept - the market square, staircases, small architecture. Both the local government and private investors take care of the matter here. One of them is Michal Biegajski, who decided to reach out to Leszno's material heritage - the buildings of a former pump factory - and restore it to its former glory. This is how Lofty on the Pumps was born.
Renovation of the townhouse complex of the former Pump Factory in Leszno - buildings before renovation
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
machine and pump factory in Leszno recommended!
The history of this place began in 1868, when Philipp Hannach founded the first Pump Factory in Leszno. Among other things, it produced barrels or firefighters' haystacks. In 1911 the factory's operation was temporarily disrupted by fire, but the production halls were quickly rebuilt. The complex soon changed its owner, who in 1923 became a Polish industrialist, engineer Wincenty Kraupe, formerly associated with the Sosnowiec valve foundry. Under his management, the factory flourished, interrupted by the German occupation and the subsequent nationalization of the plant. Eventually the Leszczyn Pump Factory, as its name sounds today, moved to another location, and the 19th-century complex on Narutowicza Street began to slowly degrade.
This was the case at least until 2020, when the new owner of the site announced plans to revitalize it.
Renovation of the townhouse of the former Pump Factory complex in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
The 19th century shines with newness
A 19th-century building located at Gabriela Narutowicza 36 in Leszno has been renovated as part of a project by Informal Architects from Kozoglów. It is a typical historicizing architecture - a 4-story rental house stood on the northern side of the plot. Just next to it, on the south side, a Neo-Renaissance palace was built, which housed the factory director's apartment, and further on, the production halls.
The front tenement, located on Narutowicza Street, plays a special role in this establishment - as the most representative part of the entire complex. Its restored facade is to emphasize anew the urban character of the street, while the interiors will be adapted for residential and service spaces.
- write the architects about their project.
Renovation of a townhouse in the former Pump Factory complex in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
During the renovation, the plaster was renewed and the original bright colors were restored. The inscriptions disappeared from the walls, but the attic windows were re-installed with glass. Chipped fragments of architectural detail were restored, and damaged bricks are no longer visible in any part of the facade. Some changes have been made on the south-facing gable wall - a large-area glazing has been ripped through in its upper part, helping to illuminate the room behind the wall.
Renovation of the tenement building of the former Pump Factory complex in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
Stained glass, tiles and dark wood
The interior of the 19th-century tenement has also been refreshed with restoration work. New door carpentry appeared, stained-glass windows were restored in the gates, and wall sconces reminiscent of period lighting were hung on the walls. From the walls of the staircases disappeared the old, dilapidated lamellas, and were replaced by security features in elegant dark tones.
Renovation of the tenement building of the former Pump Factory complex in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
On the other hand, color has been regained in what is most precious in many tenements - colorful tiles covering floors in halls, steps and mezzanines. In some places, the floors and stairs were lined with wood of a deep, dark color. The renovated tenement will include apartments as well as service and retail spaces.
Renovation of the townhouse of the former Pump Factory complex in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
revitalization with a pump
As part of the overall project, other buildings in the former factory complex were also revitalized. The palace once inhabited by the factory director has been refreshed.
Renovation of a building in the complex of the former Pump Factory in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
Until a few years ago, it more resembled a modernist villa than the historicizing building it was in the early 20th century. Completely devoid of detail, the building was restored to its original state thanks to surviving photographs. And so the flat façade regained its sculptural character - the windows were enclosed in aediculae, the floors were divided by cornices and the balcony was secured with buffet balusters. On the ground-floor elevations, rustication returned, and the whole was covered with light plaster and topped with a fanciful attic, which serves not only a decorative function, protecting the terrace provided on the roof of the building. The production hall also underwent renovation and superstructure.
Renovation of the building of the former Pump Factory complex in Leszno
© Przemyslaw Wawrzynek, Malgorzata Wawrzynek
There have also been some changes in the complex of two residential buildings. The biggest one is that it has basically ceased to be an ensemble, because between the tenement and the palace a connector was built in the form of a slender cuboid, matching the height of the tenement. In order to visually separate it from the historical fabric, the connector was stripped of any detail and covered with black plaster, contrasting with the white of the 19th-century buildings.
new life in an old factory
The entire project is an example of a balanced approach to heritage - it combines the protection of historical values with the introduction of a new, contemporary function that will revitalize the space of the old factory and bring it back to the city's residents. The tenement on Narutowicza Street, like the entire investment, will become a symbol of Leszno's urban renewal and a testimony of respect for the industrial heritage of the region.
- We read in the description of the realization.
The former factory was not content with apartments. In line with the current direction of change, Leszno has created a space that can be used in various ways. In addition to apartments, there are also stores and service outlets, and musical events are held in the parking lot, which is now located at the back of the building.
