New look or demolition awaits landmark buildings in Warsaw

The face of 1960s Warsaw, Sezam, set for demolition: photo - wikipedia/CC

The Sezam building, what used to be seen as a modern shopping centre constructed in the 1960s in the very heart of the Polish capital, is closing down this weekend.

Shops managed by the Spolem cooperative will temporarily move to other areas in Warsaw.

The building itself will be demolished as its current state is so bad that refurbishing is not thought to be financially feasible.

Property developer BBI Development will build a new scheme in its place, dubbed Nowy Sezam, which will include both retail and office space.

When the construction is completed, the Spolem stores are due to return and take up the lower floors of Nowy Sezam. BBI has vowed to restore the Sezam neon sign, a symbol of the old building.

Sezam is not the only landmark building in for changes.

Another developer, Immobel, is about to start work on the Cedet building, known to many Varsovians as Smyk and remembered as a children's goods department store. It was the first such building in Warsaw, completed in 1952.

A large part of Cedet will also be demolished, leaving only the main construction elements. Immobel will then more or less rebuild the scheme, which will then be used as both an office and a retail building.

Work is also due to commence soon at the site of the early-twentieth-century Hala Koszyki. Developer Griffin is finalising preparations and has a valid building permit.

Griffin has vowed to restore the historical part of Hala Koszyki. Together with new areas, the scheme will have some 21,000 sqm of commercial and office space. (kw)