Doing it his way

The High-Flyer of the month for May is Jan Zajączkowski, the president of Harmony Office Center and member of the board of Eko-Park – the joint-developers of the Harmony-Polifonia Office Center in Warsaw. Last month saw one of the most impressive leasing deals in the history of the Polish office market, when Bank Millennium signed up for 18,400 sqm of space in the first phase of the project and 4,000 sqm in the second

What do you like most and least about doing business in Poland?
Poland is still a country of opportunity. Almost everything is possible. That is what I like the most. The things I least like are the administrative obstacles you encounter almost everywhere which you have to waste a lot of time overcoming.

Who do you most admire in the real estate business?
The creators of Eko–Park. This project changed the whole Polish housing market.

How did you first get into real estate?
I was invited to join Eko-Park three years ago. As simple as that.

What do you regard as your greatest professional success so far?
Definitely the Bank Millennium lease.

What is your greatest failure?
Seven years ago I was close to developing a private hospital. And I failed.

Which major projects are you planning in the near future?
We have some very interesting projects in Warsaw and other cities in Poland. All of them are exciting and so I do not have
a favourite among them.

Which is your favourite building and why?
The Wrigley Building in Chicago. A modern cathedral of business.

Which living person do you most admire and why?
Stanisław, my mother’s cousin. Absolutely the wisest man in the world.

With which historical figure do you most identify?
I am trying to do it my way.

What is your fondest memory?
A great trip around USA I took 10 years ago. I still can see every day of it.

What is your idea of a perfect day?
Quite ordinary and simple.
A sunny day at the sea shore, doing nothing except tanning and swimming with a glass of cold wine in my hand.

Which is your favourite restaurant and why?
I like ‘Dyspensa’ very much. For its perfect food and nice atmosphere.

Who is your closest friend and why?
Piotr. Whatever I would do he is always on my side. And I have eaten a barrel of salt with him. (Editor’s note: Polish idiom – we know each other inside out).

Which characteristic do you hate most in others?
If they cannot laugh at themselves.

How would you like to be remembered?
I suppose I am to young to think about that.