Skanska has launched the construction of the first phase of the Nowy Format office complex in central Kraków, located on the site of a former newspaper printing press. In its initial phase, the development will deliver over 20,000 sqm of modern Class A office space to Poland’s primary regional office market. The building has been designed to achieve net-zero operational CO2 emissions, operating completely independent of the district heating network and setting new standards for energy efficiency and workplace well-being.
Nowy Format complex will ultimately consist of three buildings offering a total area of approximately 48,000 sqm in Kraków’s central Grzegórzki district. The first phase will feature a 9-story office building (Nowy Format A1), providing 21,400 sqm of gross leasable area (GLA) and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2028. Located in the heart of the city, the space is being designed in line with the highest operational efficiency standards.
“Nowy Format A1 is a project where innovations directly translate into lower operational costs. The building has been designed without a connection to the district heating network, featuring a fully electric operational model and setting a new benchmark for energy performance. This is not an extra feature, but one of the project’s core pillars. Additionally, the entire complex will be 100% powered by renewable electricity backed by guarantees of origin,” emphasises Roland Jarosz, Executive Vice President of Operations Poland, Skanska CDE.
“Kraków is Poland’s largest regional office market, yet the supply of modern office space in central locations remains very limited. Our decision to start construction of Nowy Format directly responds to the needs of tenants and investors looking for future-focused projects that combine high quality, strong ESG performance, excellent energy efficiency and convenient access to public transport. We can clearly see a growing trend of companies moving their offices closer to city centres – to places that are well connected and offer employees easy access to services and urban infrastructure. Nowy Format will meet these expectations: it is a highly energy-efficient, focused on sustainability office project in one of Kraków’s best-connected locations, designed to create long-term value for tenants, users and investors,” says Arkadiusz Rudzki, Executive Vice President Leasing & Sales at Skanska Commercial Development Europe (CDE).
The project targets certifications including WELL Core & Shell and LEED Core & Shell. It is also being designed and planned to be built in accordance with the criteria of the European Union Taxonomy. The building will also feature advanced tools for real-time utility monitoring and CO2 emission calculations, facilitating ESG reporting for tenants and the owner. In yet another building from its portfolio, Skanska is also introducing the innovative WasteTracker system, enabling precise tracking of generated waste. Furthermore, the complex is designed for high accessibility and will apply for the “Building Without Barriers” certification.
