A silver-plated metals factory in Warsaw, Poland, will become ArtN, a vibrant, environmentally sensitive downtown core by early 2021 as Capital Park Group redevelops the Norblin factory into a mixed-use complex complex featuring offices, retail entertainment and restaurants.
Located at a historic site between Prosta, Łucka and Żelazna streets, ArtN will become an open-air multi-building district that incorporates internal streets. The project also is located between two subway stations, and is within a 10-minute walk of the central rail station.
“Offices, shops, a cinema, restaurants — are all going to be created, introducing great design, the most modern ecological solutions as well as trees, birds and bees,” said Kinga Nowakowska, operational director and the management board member of Capital Park Group, which acquired the land in 2008. “Protecting the environment and building a community of health-conscious people have already become a priority for every Capital Park investment.”
In fact, the factory predates Poland as an independent nation. More than 200 years ago, the Norblin, Bracia Buch and T. Werner factory produced internationally renowned silverware in Warsaw’s Wola District. Now, Capital Park will redevelop the plant into more than 700,000 square feet of commercial space, as well as a three-level subterranean parking deck. Approximately 118,000 square feet of the 430,000-square-foot office component already has been leased, to tenants including rent24, a coworking and co-living concept, an office operator, conference center and more. About 280,000 square feet will accommodate 70 shops, entertainment, cultural, and food and beverage uses.
“An occupancy rate of 40% two years before the planned completion of the project is a great success for us and confirmation of the highest quality of the multi-functional space, which the former Norblin factory will offer to its future tenants,” said Jan Motz, founder and president of Capital Park Group.
Plans call for renovating 11 buildings (two of them historic) while respecting the historic architecture using a post-industrial design. In addition, 50 machines and appliances belonging to the former factory will be renovated. The buildings will be equipped with a variety of eco-friendly components, pre-certified “Very Good,” by BREEAM (the European equivalent of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED program.) More than one dozen trees from five to 10 meters (15 to 32 feet) high will be planted on the streets, with building walls and terraces decorated with plants. An organic beehive will be located on the roof.
Part of the complex is already an attraction: The site hosts the Warsaw BioBazar, the first bazaar with certified organic food in the country. It will have an expanded location when the project is complete. Another key attraction of the project, directly related to the heritage of the place, will be the Open Museum of the former Norblin Factory, which will hold exhibitions of unique collections of plated goods or renovated historic factory machines.
One of the largest real estate companies in Poland, Capital Park Group is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. In May, New York City-based Madison International Realty acquired a controlling stake in Capital Park.
The Polish economy has been the jewel of Europe in the last decade, with the office market especially strong. Lack of supply has compelled tenants to pre-lease space in projects under construction. Over 68% of the space to be completed in 2019 and 42% of space currently under construction for 2020 completion is already leased, reports Cushman & Wakefield’s Warsaw Office Market Snapshot for the second quarter of 2019.
“Change is a key characteristic of Warsaw. The city has entered an extremely dynamic growth period and is going through a dramatic transformation,” said JLL’s Warsaw City Report for the first quarter of 2019. “Every week, Warsaw’s skyline gains a new addition, as a result of office towers growing at an incredible speed.”
PRC Architekci is responsible for preparation of ArtN’s design. Warbud SA is the main contractor of the project, working with Soletanche Polska, Maat4 and TKT Engineering. Monument Service supervises conservation works over all monuments within the project.
