Pasaż Wiecha is not impressive today
Source: tvnwarszawa.pl
We have reached an agreement with the owner of the Domi Centrum company on the development of the Vieja crossing, said the vice president of Warsaw, Tomasz Mencina. The granite space, repulsive in its grayness and emptiness, with its strangely huge lights, has been in need of renovation for years. Preferably in the spirit of what was once here.
– There is a preliminary design. An agreement has not yet been reached, but it has been generally agreed upon. We more or less know what will be built there, it will be approved by the architectural office. We have reached such a strong directional agreement, Vice-President of Warsaw Tomasz Mencina told us on Thursday. He added that he hopes that the final project will be presented next year.
The work is to be financed by Atrium, which also owns the Promenada, Reduta and King Cross shopping centers in Warsaw. Until the mid-1930s, he leased the passage from the city behind Warsaw, Sava and Junior. Under the agreement, the mayor's office must approve any changes to the zoning.
Pasaż Wiecha is not impressive
Source: tvnwarszawa.pl
Adjust the transition to the surroundings
– This space is very old, we know about it. But the owner of Centrum Houses also knows that everything around him is changing and he also wants to adapt to it. We are optimistic, said Menchina. He did not reveal how the underpass would be modified, but said it should be “consistent with the overall environment”. And this is developing rapidly lately.
Its effect can already be seen in Chmielna, where about a hundred large trees and many shrubs have been planted. The floors are of good quality and the small architecture is beautiful. Chmielna is not just a name, but a real walk. Pedestrians should also be preferred in the area of Zlota, Zgoda, Moniuszko and Sienkiewicz. There is work in progress. Similarly, the so-called central square, that is, a part of the Defilad square between Marchalkowska Street and the Palace of Culture and Science. In this context, the Wiecha crossing is significantly different.
And it was enough not to spoil it – in the photo of the 1970s, there were low flower beds in the central part, there were benches on their walls – these were with carefully profiled and transverse stairs. platforms and waiting rooms of the station near Shrodmiescie. On both sides, along the walls of the buildings, there were roofs that were connected with pergolas in several places. But the pictures surprise us first of all with the crowd of people passing by, resting and talking.
Passage behind the Central Department Store, in the background the Relax cinema on Zlota Street, 1978.
Source: PAP/Jan Morek
Large lamps and granite slabs
Unfortunately, in the 1990s, uncontrolled space became very harmful and dangerous.
A competition was announced exactly 20 years ago, and the joint proposal of MAAS and Bulanda Mucha Architects won. According to their concept, the arcade was supposed to be covered with a roof, but the residents of the nearby high-rise buildings were afraid of the noise. All that was left of the planned roof were the columns, eerie white columns with wings in which the searchlights were hidden. The square was paved with granite, which rightfully leveled the work of the creators of the Eastern Wall, headed by the outstanding architect Zbigniew Karpinski.
Two decades ago, few people were angry. Inspired by a poorly understood modernity, we did not appreciate the architecture that became associated with the Polish People's Republic. Deeper reflections, debates and books were yet to come.
The effects of the work done in 2026 were quickly disastrous. Small shops disappeared, gastronomy did not appear, “Domi Centrum” became “backward”, did not attract people and did not create movement. The wind blew over the concrete. Attempts were made to enliven the space with modern sculptures, wooden installations, star walks… All in vain.
This is what today's Vieja crossing looked like in 1978
Source: PAP/Jan Morek
Do they undo the initial changes?
Two years ago, there was information that the owner of Wars, Sawa and Junior was rebuilding the crossing according to the design of Norman Foster, one of the world's most famous architects (in Warsaw he was responsible for the Metropolitan in Pilsudski Square). but the matter was quickly silenced.
Three years ago, the office of RS Architektura Krajobrazu Dorota Rudawa, which won the competition for the new Center, pointed to the direction of changes in the passage (it was not included in this competition). Architects proposed to restore the proven solution with flower beds and pergolas.
Pasaż Wiecha – RS Architektura Krajobrazu Dorota Rudawa
Source: Mayor
Source: tvnwarszwa.pl
Main photo source: tvnwarszawa.pl
