Skyscrapers of Warsaw: TPSA Tower

TPSA Tower

Main data:

Height to the roof: 122 m
Total height: 122 m
Number of floors: 27
Year of construction: 2001
Designers: Apar-Projekt, Arca A&C and TMJ Tomasz Zietala
Location: ul. Twarda 14/16

This unusual skyscraper was built in 2001 at Twarda street 14/16, just in the middle of the area called Osiedle Za Zelazna Brama (what can be translated as "Behind the iron gate" estate) where 17-floored blocks of flats from 1960s dominate. Architectural project of the skyscraper was drawn up by companies Apar-Projekt and Arca A&C, and technical structure was designed by company TMJ Tomasz Zietala. Negative opinions about the buildings dominate. Most people say that its architecture is too complicated. When we look at it, we can have an impression that the building was constructed by assembling some boxes and cylinders in a quite coincidental way. What draws attention the most is a pillar that is inclined 14 degrees from the perpendicular. A panoramic elevator, riding at the speed of 2.5 m/s is situated inside it. There were plans of arranging an observation deck on the top of the building, that could compete with those one on the 31st floor of Palace of Culture. But for now, this idea is suspended.

The skyscraper is a head office of TPSA, which is the main Polish telephone company, well known to everyone. Besides offices, also a large telephone switchboard, for 60 thousand numbers, is situated here. The building is 128 metres high, it has 5 underground floor, where car parks are located and 30 floors above the ground. The usable floor space is 41015.80 square metres and the total space is 49980.80 square metres. Like other modern skyscrapers, TPSA tower is an "intelligent" building, equipped with all necessary facilities and security systems. The main part of the building is a central core with seven elevators. On the roof of the building a landing field for helicopters is situated, but in practice it is not used. The total cost of the whole investment was over 200 millions zlotys.

For now, not many people, besides specialists, are interested in the building, even more because it is the headquarter of the company that is generally disliked. But that could change if its owner decided to open for public the panoramic elevator and the observation deck on the top. It would even be located about 10 metres higher than the one on the Palace of Culture and because of that the building could become really an attraction for tourists.