Tender for prestige

<>Reconstruction of the Saski and Brühl Palaces is currently the most important, prestigious and most complex investment to be undertaken by the city. Its complexity lies partly in the amount of opposition to the project, particularly that coming from several respected Polish architects who argue that the square dedicated to the Unknown Soldier should remain an inviolable symbol of Polish history. However, the greatest complaint raised by the project's opponents is that the investor is to be a private firm. So far, the city authorities have stuck to their guns. "Warsaw's president, Lech Kaczyński, has made it quite clear that the palaces are to be rebuilt," insisted Michał Borowski, the city's chief architect, whilst introducing journalists to the reconstruction plan for these two palaces, which were destroyed during the Second World War. The city will make available 19,000 sqm of land on Piłsudski Square, while the investor is to finance the project in return for being allowed to derive revenue from the property.

<>The final three

<>Of the initial list of firms wishing to redevelop Piłsudski Square, only three remain. Bouygues Construction of France has already rebuilt the northern end of Theatre Square and was the general contractor for the Saski Point office building and Wola Park shopping centre in Warsaw. The Belgian developer, Buelens Real Estate, first raised the possibility of reconstructing Piłsudski Square 10 years ago but failed when right-wing city councillors baulked at the idea of using a foreign investor. The firm's main credential in Poland is the Sienna Centre office building in Warsaw. TriGránit of Hungary is a newcomer to Poland, and is currently showing interest not only in the Piłsudski Square project but also in the land around the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury). It is also building a large shopping and entertainment centre of 80,000 sqm on the land of the former Gottwald coal mine in Katowice.

<>And the plans?

<>The remit of the Brühl Palace is to provide services and office functions, on a site covering 9,300 sqm. The building, which will contain 19,100 sqm of floor space. is to be between 12 and 15 metres tall, with two stories located underground. Parking space for 600 cars is to be provided next to the palace. As for Saski Palace, the city will decide how the 19,800 sqm space will be filled. It is believed however, that public institutions, such as a museum will be the priority.

<>Tomasz Wiaderek