Further uncertainty over fate of historic Prudential skyscraper

photos - PAP/Radek Pietruszka

Built in 1934 as an office for the insurance company British Prudential, the Art Deco skyscraper was the tallest building in Warsaw upon completion and would remain so for the next two decades.

Although it was severely damaged during the Second World War the framework of the Prudential building managed to survive. After the War it was rebuilt in socialist realist style as the Warsaw Hotel.

Unfortunately the building has been abandoned for several years now and is in a decrepit state, with no roof and water flooding the building every time it rains.

An initial concept for renovation by the architectural company Bulanda, Mucha Architekci, financed by the Polimex-Mostostal company, ran into difficulty after city officials refused to agree to the proposal.

In 2009 the skyscraper was purchased for 38 million Euros by the Likusów family, who also intended to renovate it.

However Dziennik.pl reports that the family has clashed with the original architects, resulting in a termination of cooperation between the two.

A spokesman for the Likusow family said that there are still plans to build a new hotel, as well as the possibility of creating restaurants, a spa, and commercial space in the same building, though did not want to speculate on when the work would commence. (sl)