Intraco I, one of Warsaw’s earliest skyscrapers, will be demolished and replaced with a modern high-rise, recently announced by owner Polski Holding Nieruchomości (PHN). The 107-meter, 39-story high-rise was built in 1975 under communist rule, and was once a prestigious business address, originally housing the state-run Foreign Trade Headquarters.
Despite renovations, including a 1998 façade update, PHN says the building no longer meets current technical or environmental standards. “We’ve reached a wall that probably won’t be crossed,” said PHN CEO Wiesław Malicki. “A responsible approach to energy efficiency and safety leaves us no choice.”
Current tenants, including the state post office and Poland’s data protection agency, must vacate by the end of 2025. Demolition is expected to take 12 to 16 months and will begin with robotic deconstruction due to the building’s dense urban setting, which rules out controlled explosions.
The replacement building will match the original height but feature only 23 floors to accommodate the need for higher modern ceilings. The new design will reference the legacy of the original while aligning with today’s energy-efficiency and safety standards. Completion is planned for 2030.
Learn more at Notes from Poland.