Fixing a hole in the city centre

A zoning plan has finally been passed for the best undeveloped site in Warsaw – perhaps in the whole of Poland. The plan covers an area of 29-ha within pl. Defilad in the very heart of the capital, which lies between the streets of ul. Marszałkowska, ul. Świętokrzyska, ul. Emili Plater and Al. Jerozolimskie. It is now possible to develop up to 600,000 sqm of buildings in the area, which is in the direct vicinity of the Palace of Culture and Science (PKiN). According to the plan, most of the site will be taken up by commercial space – mainly offices and retail. It will also be possible to build cultural facilities and residential units, which could be located on the top floors of buildings – and these are likely to be very high indeed. On both sides of the palace along  ul. Emilii Plater it is now possible to erect skyscrapers  up to heights of 220m and 245m. Another two buildings  can be constructed south of the palace (245m and 140m), as well as a 90m retail bu