The completion of Warsaw Spire is a crowning achievement in Ghelamco’s 25 years of operation in Poland. During this time the Belgian developer has accomplished spectacular success delivering projects exceeding over million square meters. Warsaw Spire, the flagship investment of Ghelamco at plac Europejski comprising a record 109,000 sqm of space, is more than just the largest office complex in this part of Europe – it is also a symbol of the changes Poland has undergone within the last decades, and a key project on the business map of the capital city. Warsaw Spire has also completely changed the shape of Rondo Daszyńskiego – it is here where the new Warsaw City will emerge.
“This year marks 25 years anniversary of Ghelamco in Poland. At the very beginning of the 90s, when the real estate market has been shaping, we took the risk and chose Poland. Today, I am well aware this has been one of the best decisions of my life,” commented Paul Gheysens, CEO of Ghelamco Group.
Warsaw Spire is the largest office investment in Poland and a key investment on the business map of Warsaw. Ghelamco’s office complex has radically changed the shape of Rondo Daszyńskiego and has triggered
of the development of business investments in this part of the city. It is here where new business center of the capital city arises. The location where Warsaw Spire has been built has become the most wanted address among the tenants being international companies and institutions.
“When Ghelamco first started the development of Warsaw Spire five years ago, many did not believe that the investment of such a scale may be successfully marketed. The project has been well thought through and planned from the very beginning – today we proudly launch our flagship investment in Poland and believe that Warsaw Spire will continue to be iconic for this part of the city. We believe it will be also the benchmark for other investments in this area. Undoubtedly, it is where the Warsaw of the future emerges,” commented Jeroen van der Toolen, Managing Director Ghelamco CEE.
From the moment of laying the cornerstone, the works on the construction plot lasted continuously for 3 years. The completion of three buildings: the tower building with the height of 220 m together with the spires and two 55-meter buildings comprising jointly 109,000 sqm of space consumed a record amount of building materials. Construction of the complex was serviced jointly by 6 cranes, up to 200 trucks a day. At peak times 3,000 people were working at the construction site. The project received a record high bank financing of 904 million PLN in the history of the Polish real estate market.
“Warsaw Spire is not only the highest and the largest – it also has an enormous power of attraction. The key to the success of Warsaw Spire project was its location, perfect timing of the project’s implementation, innovative solutions and special added value not yet offered by any other commercial development – quality urban space for the citizens of Warsaw. There has not been such an investment in Poland before – a modern commercial building, with a public square with fountains, trees, restaurants, cultural and art spots open for everyone, has brought new quality,” added van der Toolen, Managing Director Ghelamco CEE.
An integral part of the project is the arrangement of plac Europejski – the first open public city square of this scale in the postwar history of the capital city, restoring the city block between Grzybowska, Łucka, Wronia and Towarowa streets inaccessible for the city inhabitants for years. The original design of space between Warsaw Spires buildings perfectly supplements the business functions of the complex harmoniously combing commercial and office functions. The square is a car-free zone filled with street furniture and greenery. Among numerous types of ornamental trees and shrubs (14 000 plants in total, including 160 trees), there are various water installations – a lake, a cascade stream and many types of fountains, contributing to the unique atmosphere of the place. Restaurants and cafes are placed in this green surrounding, along with a special art exhibition venue, named the Art Walk. Plac Europejski unique features make it a perfect meeting spot for Warsaw inhabitants and a venue for various events, teeming with life long past working hours.
Thanks to the innovative approach, Warsaw Spire has attracted the attention of the tenants from the outset. Even a few months before commissioning, the developer achieved excellent commercialization result at 85 percent. By the end of the year Ghelamco plans to raise the level of the space leased within the complex up to 95 percent. Warsaw Spire will soon become an office for around 8000 employees; acclaimed companies and institutions have chosen the complex: Adecco Poland, Benefit Systems, Bilfinger HSG Facility Management, BNP Paribas Securities Services, Centre for EU Transport Projects (CEUTP), Daftcode, EU agency Frontex, JLL, MasterCard and Samsung. The project has won not only the hearts of its tenants – thanks to an extraordinary installation “Kocham Warszawę” on the tower building, Warsaw Spire and plac Europejski became a unique, recognizable investment and the icon of this part of the city.
Ghelamco Poland is the developer and general contractor of Warsaw Spire. The architectural design has been created by M. & J-M. Jaspers – J. Eyers & Partners studio in cooperation with Polsko-Belgijska Pracownia Architektury – Projekt. The original concept of plac Europejski design was prepared by Belgian architectural studio Wirtz International Landscape Architects. Mac Stopa designed the reception in the tower building and the Art Walk and gazebo. The exclusive agent commercializing the project is JLL.
