Koneser opens – with more to come

The project, developed by Liebrecht & Wood and BBI Development, comprises 88,000 sqm of commercial space, including 25,500 sqm of offices (almost entirely leased), 21,800 sqm of retail, services and restaurants (78 pct leased), a 2,100 sqm conference and event centre and an underground car park for 1,000 vehicles. It also contains a residential section, developed solely by BBI Development. Warsaw-based architectural studio Juvenes-Projekt (including Krzysztof Tyszkiewicz, Krzysztof Matwiejuk and Sławomir Stankiewicz) drew up the architectural concept for the complex.

Koneser also features the world’s first Museum of Polish Vodka and the first Moxy hotel in Warsaw (141 rooms), which is to open at the end of 2018 or early 2019 “Koneser is to be an open space, integrated with its immediate surroundings, that will be constantly adapted to meet people’s requirements. We have created an authentic addition to the city,” insists Magdalena Bartkiewicz-Podoba, the general director of Liebrecht & Wood Poland. The 0.4 ha Plac Koneser square, which has also been created as part of the project, will be used as a venue for cultural events, fairs and other outdoor events. Koneser also contains another 8,500 sqm for special events in designated event centres: Laboratorium (2,400 sqm) and Butelkownia (2,100 sqm) as well as in the shopping arcade. Concerts, fairs, exhibitions, performances, outdoor and company events and others for Warsaw’s citizens, tourists and business representatives can be held.

The restaurants, cafés and bars in the complex include Zoni, WuWu, Pijalnia Czekolady E. Wedel, Bar ¾, Ferment Praski, Frankie's, Orzo and Bombaj Masala, among others. Koneser also comprises space for the boutiques of new fashion brands and interior design, diversified in terms of their price and product range. These already include Prysznic Modowy Marioli Turbiarz, So Chick So Freak, Targi Rzeczy Ładnych, S:heirt, One No.1 Varsovie, Muscat, Mydlarnia Cztery Szpaki, Polish Design, I Love Grain and Freeshion.

“We are convinced that our project will make a lasting contribution to changing the landscape of the right-bank part of Warsaw,” believes Michał Skotnicki, the CEO of BBI Development. We Care will be responsible for the property management of the complex.

However, more development is on its way for Koneser. “On the ul. Nieporęcka side of the complex, we are planning to develop two office buildings, a total of around 21,000 sqm, with services on the ground floors. They will be tailor-made buildings and construction work could start later this year and finish at the turn of 2020–2021. They will complete the projects along ul. Nieporęcka, where we would like to create a woonerf,” reveals Magdalena Bartkiewicz-Podoba.

BBI Development bought the Koneser site in 2006 for PLN 60.5 mln. Liebrecht & Wood joined the project in 2012.