A new 193-meter skyscraper in Warsaw!

A 193-meter skyscraper in Warsaw will soon start rising. Is it really needed? Will it become the beating heart of the city, or just add to the capital’s congestion? Perhaps it will turn Aleje Jerozolimskie into yet another office desert, deserted and silent after 5 p.m.? Despite its central location, this scenario seems highly likely.

Warsaw is becoming overgrown with a multitude of skyscrapers and office buildings. The expansion of Skyliner I is currently underway, and the well-funded, prestigious Skyliner II is being built. The capital continues to rise, with another example being the planned construction of a 193-meter skyscraper on Aleje Jerozolimskie. Will the new skyscraper fit into the center of Warsaw?

193-meter skyscraper in Warsaw – what do we know about it?

After more than 10 years of efforts and obtaining permits in Warsaw, construction of another skyscraper is starting in the prestigious Aleje Jerozolimskie location. With so many “skyscrapers” already, yet another site like this—another building with office space for rent—fails to excite anyone. The questions that arise are mostly of a practical nature.

In the heart of Warsaw, at the corner of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Chałubińskiego Street, a new 193-meter skyscraper will soon rise. The project is being developed by Golden Star Group, which also owns the neighboring LIM Center (formerly the Marriott hotel). After nearly a decade of preparations, the investment has received a building permit.

The initial plans date back to the first decade of the 21st century. At that time, Lilium Tower was supposed to be 260 meters tall. The economic crisis in 2008 forced the developer to abandon these plans. Ultimately, the new skyscraper will be much lower, but it will still rank among Warsaw’s tallest high-rises.

The architectural design harmonizes with the neighboring towers from the communist era, and the plan includes preserving the existing podium, which aligns with the urban concept of the area.

New 193-meter skyscraper in Warsaw – case study

Lilium Tower is a development set to enhance the city’s skyline, creating a modern landmark in the heart of the capital. Located in the prestigious part of Warsaw, at the intersection of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Chałubińskiego Street, the project by Golden Star Group combines commercial, hotel, and residential functions. Designed by the renowned APA Wojciechowski studio, the project reflects the city’s dynamic growth.

• Location: Corner of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Chałubińskiego Street, Warsaw
• Height: 193 meters
• Leasable area: approximately 52,000 m²
• Number of floors: 43 stories
• Architecture studio: APA Wojciechowski
• Investor: Golden Star Group
• Purpose: Office spaces, hotel, long-term stay apartments
• Standards: Modern class A office spaces, luxury apartments, high-standard hotel
• Architecture: It references the neighboring Marriott and Elektrim towers, blending harmoniously into the city skyline
• Project history: The original plan was to build a 260-meter skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid, but after a change of investor and the financial crisis in 2008, the project was adjusted
• Investment status: Building permit obtained, detailed construction schedule still unknown

Urban deserts – is this a threat to the city center?

Is there a risk that the center of Warsaw will turn into an urban desert that becomes lifeless after 5 p.m.? This question gains importance in the context of new developments such as Lilium Tower. Will the new 193-meter skyscraper soon enhance the skyline of the capital? While modern architecture and prestigious locations attract investors, the question arises whether such developments create a vibrant space throughout the day, or only during office hours.

Let’s consider what Lilium Tower could mean for the center of Warsaw and whether modern skyscrapers are a remedy or, on the contrary, create conditions for spaces that become deserted after peak hours. Here are a few aspects that spark debate.

A mix of functions – the key to the success of the 193-meter skyscraper in Warsaw?

Lilium Tower won’t be your typical office building. In addition to offices, it will also feature a hotel and long-term rental apartments. That’s good news. The building will be alive not only during working hours, which in theory could prevent the area from feeling like a “dead” city center after 5 p.m. But is that enough to keep natural foot traffic going into the evening? That largely depends on the surrounding infrastructure.

Perfect location, but is it sustainable?

Lilium Tower is rising in one of Warsaw’s hottest spots—the corner of Aleje Jerozolimskie and Chałubińskiego. This is the city’s business heart, with close access to the Central Station, the Palace of Culture, and many other institutions. However, while the area buzzes with life during the day, it tends to “shut down” after working hours. So will the new skyscrapers in this district bring it to life in the evenings as well, or will they deepen the problem of an emptying city center?

Car traffic versus a sustainable city

Every new development in the city center raises questions about its impact on traffic. Lilium Tower, despite its height and functionality, will have to contend with limitations on the number of parking spaces. Will this solution help reduce congestion, or, on the contrary, increase traffic chaos around the skyscraper?

Will Warsaw find a balance between modern skyscrapers and a vibrant, multifunctional city center? This question remains unanswered, and the controversies surrounding urban deserts are likely to stay with us for a long time.