Skyscrapers of Warsaw: Cosmopolitan (Hines/Twarda Tower)

Cosmopolitan (Hines/Twarda Tower)

Main data:

Height to the roof: 192 m
Total height: 192 m
Number of floors: 42
Planned term of finishing: 2013
Designers: Murphy/Jahn Workshop
Location: ul. Twarda 2/4

News saying about a new skyscraper at the intersection of Emilii Plater and Twarda streets were heard since long ago. Such building would be the closure of the line of high buildings at the western side of Emilii Plater St. Previously, Shalom foundation was supposed to be its investor. Even initial plans of such building were made by Stefan Kurylowicz's workshop. But the foundation did not have enough finances necessary for the investment and finally decided to sell the plot to development company Hines. However, it will have a participation in the investment - a Jewish Culture Centre will be organised in a part of the building.

Three architectural workshops took part in the competition for the building's design: Foster and Partners, APA Kuryłowicz and Murphy/Jahn. Finally, the design made by the third one was chosen. The building will consist of two parts: lower, situated closer to Grzybowski Square (the Jewish Culture Centre will be located here) and a 160-metre-high tower. In the basements (on 4 levels) a car park will be located (with nearly 300 places), on the first five floors - commercial spaces (among others - fitness centre and a restaurant), higher - up to 14th floor - a hotel (with 131 rooms altogether) and above it - luxurious apartments. On the last two floors the most luxurious, 2-leveled apartments will be situated.

The building's elevations will be made out of glass mainly, so that as much sunlight as possible was used for the interiors' lighting. But the most interesting fact is that the building will have movable elements of the elevation. Thanks to them, and to the special construction materials, its colour will be changing, depending on the time of the day and of the year.

So the skyscraper will really have interesting solutions and an attractive form. Only its location can seems to be quite controversial. It will be situated just next to the historical Nozyk Synagogue and close to the All Saints Church. So we can assume that it will dominate them totally. And, what is more, just next to it, another skyscraper will be constructed by the Jewish Community. The buildings will neighbour each other by just a bit more than 10 metres. According to latest plans, the buildings will be connected together with a junction located high above. In 2009 a construction permit for the investment has been handed and also a two-floored, rather neglected building located on the plot was disassembled. In summer 2010 the construction of the new skyscraper was be started. During the first year underground floors had been constructed. In summer 2011 the structure began to arise over the ground.

In 2011 the investment was overtaken by Tacit company, the building changed its official name then into 'Cosmopolitan'.