Skanska Develops Sustainable Residential Project at Mazowiecka 21 in Kraków, Poland
Skanska is advancing its residential development plans in Kraków, Poland, with the Mazowiecka 21 project, which will transform an existing office building site into a modern residential development with commercial units on the ground floor. The project aims to respond to the predominantly residential character of the surrounding neighborhood while improving the site’s environmental performance, accessibility and overall quality of life.
The development will introduce new apartments alongside ground-floor commercial spaces, creating a mixed-use environment designed to serve both future residents and the wider local community. By replacing the existing office building with residential accommodation, the project reflects an approach to urban development that aligns land use with the needs and character of the surrounding area.
A key element of the investment is the planned increase in biologically active space across the site. The development will introduce additional greenery, helping create a more welcoming environment for residents and people living nearby. The landscaping improvements are intended to strengthen the connection between the building and its surroundings while contributing to a more attractive urban setting.
Residential Development Designed for Modern Urban Living
Mazowiecka 21 is being designed to provide contemporary residential accommodation in Kraków, a major Polish city with an established residential and commercial property market. The inclusion of commercial units on the ground floor will combine residential functions with spaces intended for commercial use.
This mixed-use configuration can help support neighborhood activity by bringing different functions together within a single development. The project will retain a strong residential focus while providing opportunities for commercial services that may serve residents and the surrounding community.
The replacement of the existing office building also represents a change in the site’s intended use. Rather than maintaining an office-led function, the development will prioritize residential accommodation in keeping with the predominantly residential nature of the neighborhood.
In addition to the building itself, the project places emphasis on the external environment. Increasing the biologically active area will introduce more greenery into the site, improving its visual character and creating a more pleasant setting for everyday use.
These design considerations form part of the broader objective of delivering a residential development that responds to local conditions while incorporating environmental and accessibility features.
Sustainability Measures and Environmental Performance
Mazowiecka 21 is designed to achieve a BREEAM Very Good rating, reflecting the project’s focus on sustainability and environmental performance. BREEAM is an internationally recognised building assessment system that evaluates aspects of a building’s environmental impact and sustainability.
The planned development will incorporate several technologies intended to support more efficient building operations and responsible resource management.
Photovoltaic panels will be installed as part of the project’s energy strategy. These panels generate electricity from sunlight and can help reduce reliance on electricity supplied from conventional sources, depending on system capacity and operating conditions.
The building will also feature a heat pump, which is designed to transfer heat efficiently for building heating and, depending on the system configuration, other temperature-control requirements. The inclusion of this technology supports the project’s emphasis on energy-conscious building solutions.
Water management will be addressed through an underground rainwater retention tank. The system is intended to collect and retain rainwater, supporting the development’s approach to managing rainfall on the site.
Together with the planned increase in biologically active areas, these measures demonstrate the project’s focus on integrating environmental considerations into both the building design and its surrounding landscape.
Smart Home Technology and Resident Comfort
The development will incorporate the Appartme smart home system, introducing technology designed to support modern residential living.
Smart home solutions can provide residents with greater convenience in managing selected household functions, depending on the system’s configuration. By including Appartme, the project aims to integrate digital solutions into the residential environment and respond to changing expectations for contemporary apartments.
All apartments will also be prepared for the installation of air conditioning. This provision will allow the necessary preparation for future installation, although the apartments are not necessarily being delivered with complete air-conditioning systems already installed.
The combination of smart home technology and air-conditioning readiness is intended to give future residents additional flexibility when adapting their homes to their preferences and comfort requirements.
These features complement the project’s wider emphasis on functionality, environmental performance and the needs of people living in modern urban housing.
Accessibility and Sustainable Mobility
Accessibility is another important consideration in the design of Mazowiecka 21. The development is being designed in line with the requirements of the Barrier-Free Facility certificate, supporting the needs of people with different mobility requirements and other accessibility considerations.
The approach aims to make the building more accessible and inclusive, helping a wider range of residents and visitors use its spaces. Incorporating accessibility requirements during the design and construction stages can help ensure that the building’s layout and facilities respond to diverse user needs.
The project will also include a dedicated bicycle room to support sustainable mobility. Providing designated bicycle storage can make cycling more convenient for residents and encourage alternatives to car-based travel for suitable journeys.
The bicycle facility complements the development’s environmental measures by incorporating a practical mobility feature into the residential building. Alongside the planned greenery, energy technologies and rainwater management infrastructure, it contributes to a more integrated approach to sustainable urban living.
Construction Timeline and Project Outlook
Construction of Mazowiecka 21 began in October 2026, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2028. The timeline establishes a construction period extending into early 2028 as Skanska progresses with the transformation of the site.
Once completed, the development is expected to provide residential accommodation with commercial units at ground level, supported by sustainability features, smart home technology and accessibility-focused design.
The planned increase in green space will also help distinguish the development’s approach to the surrounding urban environment, while the photovoltaic panels, heat pump and rainwater retention tank will form part of its environmental strategy.
Through Mazowiecka 21, Skanska is combining residential development with measures intended to improve environmental performance, support sustainable mobility and enhance accessibility. The project represents a redevelopment of an existing office site into a residential-focused property designed to fit the character of its neighborhood in Kraków, Poland.
Source Link:https://www.skanska.com/
