Passage to development

Work or renovating one of the ugliest parts of Warsaw, a place that was once a landmark in the capital, has finally got underway. The first stage of works on Pasaż Wiecha, behind Galeria Centrum, will start at Wars and C&A. During the works, the alleyway will not be completely blocked, and will remain crossable. Entrances to the shopping center will also stay open.

Agata Mikołajczak, a spokesperson for investor DTC Real Estate, said that initially the concrete flowerbeds and roofing will be demolished. Ultimately, the works will include new granite paving, ornamental lightning, small architectural details and new elevations for the Wars, Sawa and Junior department stores.

DTC Real Estate (DTC RE) is the owner of the neighboring buildings and initiated the revitalization scheme in 2004. As a result, an architectural competition was organized in cooperation with OW SARP and the office of the chief architect of Warsaw. In December 2005 DTC RE received the right to lease the area in order to conduct its plans.

The works are scheduled for completion at the end of November this year. The general contractor is Erbud while the MAAS SC studio designed the changes. DTC RE stresses that their project does not include the two squares neighboring the passage, although MAAS SC has prepared concepts for these areas. DTC RE did not reveal the value of the investment.