The spirit of the old Warsaw was best preserved in Praga, where most of the tenements survived the war. Many of them have just regained their former glory.
Praga is one of the oldest and most famous districts of Warsaw. You can find here many buildings that could tell a lot - if they could speak.
Fenix Group is intensifying its comprehensive renovation work on real estate in Warsaw Praga. The company counts that investments in the district, worth a total of 120 million PLN will end by 2018.
Renovated buildings from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries create a new definition of luxury. Nowhere else will we find equally stylish interiors with stucco, parquet flooring inlaid with dark, aged oak, or floors laid with tiles made in small manufactories.
It is not difficult to find historic buildings in Praga. Thanks to comprehensive revitalization, they reveal their assets and surprise us with their elegance.
The old houses in Praga Północ have been restored to their former glory. Many dream of living in these renovated masterpieces.
Warsaw is one of the places the most affected during World War II. It was almost razed to the ground, and only a few percent of the buildings remained of the original cityscape.
Five hundred million zlotys a year - the value of transactions in the primary luxury real estate market in Poland. Apartments - according to the report “Luxury real estate market in Poland”, generate 90% of this amount.
Modernization of old houses is a time consuming process, requiring much more work and much more complex procedures than any real estate development project. It is more like working on a living organism.
The interview conducted by Renata Krupa-Dąbrowska.
Published in Rzeczpospolita daily.
Unique atmosphere, distinct folklore, exclusive architecture. City Center, yet an undiscovered district. Just the same pros.
Post-war nationalisation of real estate property ordered by President Bierut’s decree has effectively hindered revitalisation of the historic urban landscape.
Look at the pre-war Warsaw houses. What do you see? At first glance they are nothing but dilapidating old walls.
Pre-war apartment houses exude unique charm and character. By regaining their former splendour they become true pride of the city again.
Fenix Group is conducting revitalisation process of a historic, four-story apartment hout at 15 Kopernika St., in the rear of Nowy Swiat St., between Ordynacka St. and Foksal St.
The inaugural meeting of the Fenix Club series was devoted to An Evening of Photography in the Interior.
Jacek Studziński talks to Kurier Warszawski about the rays and shadows of revitalization.
A few years ago the Warsaw district of Praga used to be described like this: „It is one of the least developed areas with difficult access to the centre.
A recollection of last summer. We had enormous pleasure to host an auction of recovered works by the sculptor Jan Cykowski.
49a Koszykowa St., 50 Hoza St., 16 Poznanska St., 16 Noakowskiego St. have been ranked among addresses of the best apartment houses in Warsaw according to Wprost.
The house at 50 Hoza St. is an example of how more and more frequently historic buildings, previously neglected and forgotten, become true gems of the real estate market.
Renovation of a historic apartment house always gives rise to many surprises. They rarely are as exciting and unique, though, as the discovery we made in the building at 49a Koszykowa
Fenix Group, the Xavery Dunikowski Museum of Sculpture in Krolikarnia and the Museum of Warsaw invite everyone to an auction of sculptures by Jan Cykowski
In May issue of Uroda Życia monthly there is an exceptional photoshoot, featuring Ewa Dalkowska, set in elegant interiors of the apartment house at 16/2 Noakowskiego St. in Warsaw.
Today, when nearly a century has passed, apartment houses in the centre of Warsaw in the districts of Powisle and Praga are being restored to their former splendour, class, elegance and chic.
On 12 November a first New Art Auction will be held in Warsaw’s Bohema - a new auction house and gallery.
Please feel free to watch the materials on Art Cover which were broadcast in Telewizyjny Kurier Warszawski.
What are the reactions of the residents of Warsaw, when walking along ul. Noakowskiego they encounter a jungle, which they can see and hear from afar?
There is no other district like this in Warsaw. Śródmieście boasts qualities which other Warsaw district can only dream about. It is only here that you can live with theatres, cinemas and chic restaurants on your doorstep whilst being next door to a park.
Old buildings in city centres are an inseparable part of history, culture and art.
enix Group renovates historic listed buildings in Warsaw, Łódź and Wrocław.
ArtCovers are similar to murals, however their lifetimes are much shorter as they tend to disappear after a few months, just to appear in a different part of the city, in a different graphical setting.
Fenix Group as an example of a good investor who renovates old buildings
President Andrzej Kawalec talks to Gazeta Finansowa about ArtCovers - large scale works of artists from Warsaw’s ASP
Outstanding artists, a magnificent and humorous play, and a full house for two days
The head of the Fenix Group, Andrzej Kawalec, couldn’t accept the socialist dismantling of the capital’s pre-war buildings.
Under the blue sky, under the stars – "Quartet" ("Kwartet"), directed by Mikołaj Grabowski, will be performed on 12 and 13 July in the courtyard of the tenement at Hoża St. 50 in Warsaw.
KISSPRINT and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, together with Fenix Group, is organising the Graphic Art Weekend in Warsaw.
The official launch of the “Street Art by Fenix” in Warsaw took place on 22 May.
The benefits of investing in historic apartment buildings in pulsinwestora.pl
Artcovers constitute an excellent counterproposal to all large and often tacky advertisements and show that public spaces can be an excellent place for the presentation of works of art.
Instead of large format advertisements, we have equally large works by the students of the Academy of Fine Arts.
Andrzej Kawalec, the President of Fenix Group talks about the new form of street art called artcovers.
“(…) I’ll defend the “artcover” project, an artistic wrapper, because by covering up architecture, it simultaneously gives back our most important right, the right to the city”.
What a few days ago was nothing more than a dilapidated apartment building is now covered by smiling beachgoers.
The right bank of Warsaw is attractive thanks to its unique character and architectural gems that are slowly being restored while covered by modern street art.
A safety net was installed on the apartment building at ul. Targowa 21.
True works of art have been installed on Warsaw’s apartment buildings.
Andrzej Kawalec, the President of Fenix Group, talks about the benefits of renovating old apartment buildings.
Apartments in a one hundred year old, luxuriously renovated old apartment building instead of a modern but soulless apartment building or villa in the suburbs?
Apartments in old restored apartment buildings are becoming increasingly popular in European cities and are some of the most desired and sought after.
The interiors in Fenix Group’s renovated apartment buildings in a session for "Cztery Kąty".
Rzeczpospolita writes about the studio apartments market in the Centre of Warsaw.
“Pomorska 21. Dom Towarzystwa Kredytowego”, the pride of Fenix Group, makes it seem as if time went back to the heyday of industrial Łódź.
In the November issue of “Gala”, in the spacious interiors of an apartment, a Polish actress talks about the theatre, family, and about how she is not a perfect mother.
In terms of urban planning and economy, revitalisation constitutes a decisively better solution - Andrzej Kawalec, the President of Fenix Group.
Andrzej Kawalec, the President of Fenix Group in the “Forbes” monthly convinces that reprivatisation can be carried out without costs.
The session by "Cztery Kąty" inspires how to turn an ordinary bathroom into an elegant one.
Residents feel best surrounded by a historic urban fabric. European cities take care to revitalise classic apartment buildings as it is such buildings that determine the elegance, prestige, and big city atmosphere of a city.
The President of Fenix Group, Mr Andrzej Kawalec talks with Bankier.pl about the meaning of the word “apartment” in Poland.
Andrzej Kawalec talks to Bankier.pl about the percentage of apartments on the real estate market.
The Fenix Group and how it came to be - Andrzej Kawalec in an article for September’s Forbes.
An interview with Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec in “Gazeta Wyborcza”.
Photo shoot for the Autumn-Winter 2013/14 season catalogue in the town house at ul. Poznańska 16.
Fenix Group interiors are the talk of the week on the most widely read interior design website domplusdom.
A statement by Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec in “Gazeta Wyborcza”.
Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec in an article for „Forbes" magazine.
Apartments in pre-war buildings are still a little known part of the Polish real estate market. - Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec for „Gazeta Finansowa".
„Culture in the Big City” a Polish Radio II broadcast took up the matter of revitalization of unkempt districts.
From the point of view of urban planning and economics their revitalisation is far easier to justify - Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec in an article for „Forbes" monthly.
Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec on PiN Radio. Sensational location, perfect workmanship and historic details - pre-war buildings are turning into luxurious apartments.
A new block of flats vs. a restored pre-war buildings. Surely a number of people rack brains whether to choose an apartment in pre-war building in a centre, or buy a completely new?
Who can afford such an apartment and who will feel at home living in one – an interview with Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec.
“If we are ever faced with difficult times and falling property prices, it will be our buildings that will retain most of their value” – Andzej Kawalec.
Exceptional session in elegant interiors of the house in Warsaw,Poznańska 16 St. in the May issue of „Claudia” monthly.
Investing in decaying, ruined pre-war buildings is not an easy business - Fenix Group President Andrzej Kawalec in an article for „Puls Biznesu”.
The President describes to “Dziennik Łódzki” how the company came to be, what its goals and business concepts are.
Many people are considering whether to buy a house in a quiet suburb of agglomeration, or to choose an apartment in a building located in the city center.
See by yourself how the building has changed when completely renovated. „Puls Biznesu" shows the work on modernizing the building at Noakowskiego 16 street.
More and more people choose renovated buildings for their offices and homes. Andrzej Kawalec, chairman of Fenix Group, comments upon this new phenomenon.
Final year students from one of the best high schools in Poland, the I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Mikołaja Kopernika, enjoyed themselves amid the elegant interiors.
In the January edition of Gala magazine, an exceptional session with the renowned actress and screenwriter in the elegant surroundings of an apartment of the Fenix Group.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler. All three prefer living in an old building rather than a house with pool – reports "Gala" magazine.
Radosław Martyniak, vice-chairman of the Fenix Group, talks about the process for renovating historic buildings in the pages of "Puls Biznesu".
The Towarzystwo Kredytowe building in Łódź at Pomorska 21 has received the prestigious title of best banquet location.
Stylists from renowned women's magazines appreciate the interiors of buildings belonging to Fenix Group.
Andrzej Kawalec, chairman of Fenix Group, talks about the future of the Polish real estate market in the pages of "Puls Biznesu".
The good sides of investing in historical buildings, as well as Fenix Group's activity profile, described by "Puls Biznesu".
On the evening of 29 November 2012, representatives of the business world, artists and investors in Fenix Group took part in an exceptional event.
The apartment at Poznańska 16 was once gain used for a photo shoot, this time by the stylists and photographers of the luxury magazine "Pani". The photographs showed Andrzej Bochenek,
In the pages of "Gazeta Finansowa", Andrzej Kawalec attempts to make a case for buying an apartment in the centre, rather than a house in the suburbs.
In the pages of "Gazeta Finansowa", Andrzej Kawalec, chairman of Fenix Group, lists a number of the barriers preventing the development of Polish city centres.
An expert opinion piece by Andrzej Kawalec, chairman of Fenix Group, has appeared in "Gazeta Finansowa", describing the advantages of investing in historical buildings.
Our experts voiced their opinions on the renovation of Polish cities and the condition of historical buildings for Gazeta Finansowa.
Fenix Group was created in 2005 and currently consists of three companies: Fenix Capital S.A., Fenix Opportunities S.A. and Fenix III SKA. The group is composed mainly of individual investors from Poland and France, but also from Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. All are united by passion for historic buildings.
The apartment, office and commercial spaces that Fenix Group is interested in are situated in the best locations in Warsaw. The companies also own buildings in Lodz and Wroclaw.
Fenix Group selects buildings carefully, they are then meticulously renovated with the help of experienced architects and contractors in order to make them once more the pride of their cities.
Up until today, Fenix Group has modernised and restored to their former glory over 20,000 square metres of usable, historic space. Currently, another 20,000 square metres are undergoing renovation.
At Fenix Group, we believe you can turn back the time, and all that has been forgotten can regain its former splendour.
Renovating old apartment houses is a difficult and costly endeavour, but proves extremely valuable for the city and its inhabitants, bringing profits that are hard to find in other types of real estate investments.
Modernisation of old buildings is a time-consuming process, demanding much greater effort and meeting much more multifaceted compliance requirements than any other building investment, which begins from scratch. It resembles dealing with a living organism. On the daily basis one has to face unexpected difficulties and react swiftly to decide which elements could be renovated, and which should be meticulously recreated, modelled on the originals. Most importantly, it should be noted that while bringing the building up to today’s standards of utility one should at the same time do their utmost to recreate its former splendour.
We are investing mainly in Warsaw, in Srodmiescie and Old Praga districts. “These districts differ significantly, of course, but they are both undergoing intensive change, which we are actively trying to be a part of”, says Radoslaw Martyniak, president of the management board of Fenix Group. “In Srodmiescie we are dealing with a slow but nonetheless ongoing change of perception of the city centre, just like in Western metropoles. This is the philosophy our company has embraced from the start. We believe that this part of the city should regain its residential and trading nature, instead of gradually becoming a heritage site for tourists and thoroughfare to the outskirts”, he adds. “In Praga, you can see first signs of intensive growth of the district, for example in the form of business support centres springing up, and increased popularity among the creative sector and investors.”
Irrespective of the location we always aspire to renovate and preserve for the future as much as possible of the original building. The houses are modernised but they retain their former character, also as regards the ratio of flats and commercial space. Already in the courtyards at Noakowskiego 16 and Poznanska 16 there are restaurants, art galleries and a jazz club working in full swing. This way the city regains a showpiece of a listed building, as well as a portion of the old, well-functioning urban planning.
The tiniest of architectonic details undergo precise renovation and recreation, and so do interior design elements. “Throughout this process, it is extremely important to skilfully combine new building techniques with preserved, sometimes quite unique methods used by craftsmen”, adds president Martyniak. “The houses we renovate are great examples of what spectacular results could be attained by artists renovating cast iron fittings, door woodwork, floors, tile carpets, stoves and heaters. Unique elegance, carefully recreated ornaments, pre-war layouts and interior design, and this special feeling that everything here is steeped in history. These are the inimitable selling points of historic apartment houses.”
The old town in Warsaw is not just the central Srodmiescie district. In Praga, it is much easier to find buildings dating back to the era of horse-driven tramways. Today, it is the scene of a great renovation project, attracting new residents and investors. “We discovered the potential od this district several years ago - especially of historic houses, neglected but beautiful from the architectural point of view”, says Radoslaw Martyniak. “Okrzei, Targowa, Kepna, Jagiellonska streets may soon count as most sought-after addresses in the city, partly owing to our renovating efforts.”
The city council has begun intensive development of the district’s potential, running a wide-ranging Integrated Renovation Programme of Praga, which encompasses investing in buildings, improving their overall appearance and technical state, but also in social programmes. Praga slowly ceases to be the area which is hard to reach. The second Metro line has improved transport to the east bank of the river significantly and, as anticipated, it has contributed to the rise in attractiveness of investment areas.
That is why flats in Praga will be increasing in value. Especially those in stylish, century-old houses. “Such buildings have an edge over the ones built today because of the flats’ layout or their height. Praga abounds in highly sought-after smaller flats as well”, stresses Radoslaw Martyniak. “I am certain that owing to great modernising changes and ambitious renovation plans, addresses in Old Praga will very soon belong to the most attractive ones in the city”, adds Martyniak. “And for those who would like to see the sights, there will be plenty to look at”.
The spirit of the old Warsaw was best preserved in Praga, where most of the tenements survived the war. Many of them have just regained their former glory.
Praga is one of the oldest and most famous districts of Warsaw. You can find here many buildings that could tell a lot - if they could speak.