The characteristic golden tenements on Długie Ogrody Street in the center of Gdansk will be demolished. In their place will be a new residential and commercial development. The project previously presented by the investor, Alides, caused discussions. The new local plan includes a requirement for an architectural and urban planning competition, although such a provision is a rarity in Gdansk.
golden tenements
- gdansk treasure from the 1990s
The construction of the characteristic golden tenements on Dlugie Ogrody Street in Gdansk was completed in the late 1990s. Composed of five connected buildings, the office complex with services in the first floors was designed by respected Gdansk architect Stanislaw Michel, author of projects for the reconstruction of more than a hundred Gdansk tenements. The postmodern development, distinguished by its golden glazing and turrets, became famous because it was here that Amber Gold had its headquarters. Although the building evokes rather negative feelings among locals, it cannot be denied that it is a valuable example of development from the 1990s.
new building in place of golden tenements
However, the golden tenements - it's a foregone conclusion - will disappear from the landscape of Downtown. At the end of January this year, city councilors passed a new zoning plan for the plot, and the building's owner, Alides Polska, the same company that is planning a major development project in Gdansk for the former Imperial Shipyard, has been floating plans to build a new building for several years. The new plan allows for residential development in addition to services (so far).
Changing the land's designation from services to housing and services will allow future development to better fit the site's context
- reads the resolution.
Last year, the design of the new development saw the light of day (the investor commissioned the work from Roark Studio). The vision did not gain the approval of the Land Use Commission, and Piotr Lorens, the architect of the city of Gdansk, was also critical of it. At the time, Alides proposed that the City allow buildings between 20 and 23 meters with a 26-meter dominant. For comparison: the golden tenements in the highest part today are nearly 21 meters without spires (about 22.5 meters when they are included).
This project is no longer valid. A plan presented by the investor to councilors in 2024 during the Municipal Land Use Committee
Photo: Przemyslaw Majewski, Councilman of the City of Gdansk
Today, the project presented by the investor is no longer valid - and not only because of the parameters that the councilors passed - according to the new plan, the height of buildings cannot be higher than 21 meters. The city also wrote in the plan that the implementation of the development is to take place "after a previously held architectural and urban planning competition."
competition in the plan
The city has written into the local plan the requirement to organize a competition. We are just beginning to think about its organization.
- admits Luiza Grunwald
from Alides Polska
Including a requirement for a competition in the local plan is a rarity in Gdansk. Until now, the City, has not used this provision, also because there are doubts whether such provisions are legally allowed. Despite this, at one time planners in Gdynia, for example, eagerly included the competition requirement in their plans for the most attractive areas in the so-called Marine Center. There, investors respect this provision - although in practice these are usually closed competitions with the participation of the studios they have invited.
We decided on the competition provision because it is a prestigious site, on an extension of the Royal Road. The new development plan offers a chance to change this important space.
- Edyta Damszel-Turek explains in an interview with AiB,
director of the Gdansk Development Bureau
Significantly, in addition to the "golden tenements," the historicizing -- less controversial -- tenements on Szopy Street, which are part of the complex, are also to be demolished.
Tenements on Szopy Street
Google Street View
The complex will not be demolished immediately. The Golden Tenements continue to function as an office and service facility, and we have signed contracts with tenants. Demolition is planned in 2-3 years, and the construction of the new building itself will take about two years. Preparations for the investment are at a very preliminary stage.
- stipulates Luiza Grunwald
from Alides Polska
This is not the only change planned for Long Gardens. Last year, the City announced an implementation competition to develop a concept for the development of Długie Ogrody Street, as an extension of the Royal Route, with the restoration of the avenue of trees. The revitalization will cover an area of nearly 2.7 hectares from the Stągiewny Bridge, to the flyover over Elbląska Street. The street, which is dominated by cars, will mainly gain more greenery by reducing parking spaces.
