Skanska starts construction of Nowy Rynek C – the final part of a modern office complex in the very heart of Greater Poland’s capital. It will be the first commercial office building in the country to achieve net-zero operational CO2 emissions and be completely independent of the district heating network. This puts Poznań among the leading European cities boasting zero-emission office buildings.
The Nowy Rynek complex was created according to the “city within a city” concept. It consists of five office and retail buildings with public spaces, restaurants, cultural venues, small urban architecture and greenery, located at the intersection of Przemysłowa and Wujka streets. Nowy Rynek C, designed by local Poznań studio Ultra Architects, completes this flagship Skanska project in Poznań, which has been under construction for years. The building will offer over 28,700 sqm of gross leasable area (GLA), including approximately 25,750 sqm of office space and 2,980 sqm of retail and service space. It will have six above-ground floors, and its underground parking garage will accommodate 225 cars and over 100 bicycles. In addition, more than 50 extra spaces for two-wheelers are planned in the outdoor areas.
An energy-efficient office of the future with its own heat pumps
With 88 points awarded in LEED v4 pre-certification at the Platinum level, the project ranks among the top-rated buildings in Poland for sustainable construction. Nowy Rynek C will be 100 percent powered by renewable energy.
The building will have its own air-source and ground-source heat pumps, ensuring complete independence from the district heating network. The latter requires a record 10 km of boreholes – an unprecedented solution on the market that harnesses natural energy stored in the ground. This will enable heating of the entire building in winter and cooling in summer without reliance on external infrastructure. The use of innovative technological solutions, including air-source and ground-source heat pumps, will reduce energy consumption by around 40 percent compared to standard buildings and, above all, contribute to predictable utility costs.
The electricity powering the building will partly come from its own energy source—the largest PV installation mounted on an office building in Poland—and will also be purchased on the power exchange, confirmed with guarantees of origin.
Nowy Rynek C will consume approximately 18 percent less energy per square meter than a standard household. In addition, low-emission materials will be used in construction, including concrete, glass and aluminium with a reduced carbon footprint compared to traditional materials. Altogether, this makes the building a perfect fit for tenants and investors implementing taxonomy and ESG strategies.
A “breathing” building
Office tenants will also have access to fresh air thanks to automated tilt-opening window panels. The AI-Enhanced BMS system, combined with the innovative facade, will enable natural airflow, including at night when interiors can be cooled, delivering savings in operational costs and the energy required for air conditioning.
“We are launching a breakthrough project on a European scale, putting Poznań on par with cities like London, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. The building will be unique in Poland in terms of high energy efficiency and net zero CO2 emissions at the operational level. We plan to deliver Nowy Rynek C in the fourth quarter of 2027,” said Paweł Warda, Executive Vice President (EVP) Operations, Poland, Board Member, Skanska Commercial Development Europe.
Welcoming and safe spaces
Nowy Rynek C has been designed with the health and well-being of its users in mind, as confirmed by its WELL v2 pre-certification with a score of 84.5 points. Moreover, the space has been positively reviewed by the Integracja Foundation, enabling the project to apply for the “Obiekt Bez Barier” (Building Without Barriers) certificate. This will allow persons with disabilities and parents with prams to move freely throughout the complex. Across 18,000 sqm of shared areas, there are green terraces, graduation towers, birdhouses and insect hotels. With the opening of Nowy Rynek C, the offer will be expanded with a public playground and a basketball court. Thanks to its convenient location and easy access, the complex is also open to all residents of Poznań, who can relax in these green areas.
“During the design phase, we collaborated with experts from the Military University of Technology. With their support, we can guarantee our tenants that in unforeseen crises, underground rooms can be quickly adapted to serve as shelter for employees,” says Roland Jarosz, Project Director at Skanska Commercial Development Europe.
In addition, the project will be the first office building in Poland with a rooftop terrace adapted for drone operations, enabling fast, collision-free parcel deliveries.
