Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel

Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel
The building in 2023.
Interactive map of the Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel area
General information
TypeHotel
Architectural style
Postmodern
LocationOchota, Warsaw, Poland, 1 Artur Zawisza Square
Coordinates52°13′27.87″N 20°59′20.22″E / 52.2244083°N 20.9889500°E / 52.2244083; 20.9889500
Construction started
1990
Completed
1992
OwnerWenaasgruppen
Technical details
Floor count7
Floor area28,850 m2
Design and construction
Architects
  • Wolfgang Triessing
  • Maciej Nowicki
Developer

The Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel, formerly known as the Hotel Jan III Sobieski, is a postmodern fourstar hotel in Warsaw, Poland, located at 1 Artur Zawisza Square within the Ochota district. It was opened in 1992.

History

The building in 2010, with its original colourscheme.

The building was designed by Wolfgang Triessing and Maciej Nowicki, thought according to some sources it was Hans Piccotini instead.[1][2] It was constructed between 1990 and 1992, as a joined venture of PKO Bank Polski and Bank Pekao.[3] Its original painting scheme of blue, yellow, brown, and orange stripes caused controversies and criticism.[4][5]

In 2006, the building was sold to company Warimpex and begun being operated by the Vienna International Hotels. In 2011, it was again sold to Wenaasgruppen, which chose Rezidor Hotels and Resorts as a new operator. It was also incorporated into the Radisson Blu brand, becoming one of its two hotels in Poland.[6][7]

In 2023, the building was repainted into a uniform light grey colour scheme.[8] The city conservator-restorer filed an application for the building to be listed on the heritage list, which would allow to preserve the original paintscheme, however, it was rejected.[9]

Architecture

The building has a postmodern design, with a large glass-covered dome at the top, evoking a look of tenement house from the turn to the 20th century. It has seven storeys and a total floor area of 28,850 m2.[10][5] The hotel has 435 guest rooms.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Encyklopedia Warszawy. Warsaw: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN, 1994, p. 265. ISBN 83-01-08836-2. (in Polish)
  2. ↑ Błażej Brzostek: Wstecz. Historia Warszawy do początku. Warsaw: Muzeum Warszawy, 2021, p. 81. ISBN 978-83-959638-3-4. (in Polish)
  3. ↑ "Hotel Sobieski idzie do remontu!". nowawarszawa.pl (in Polish). 3 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Michał Wojtczuk (2 March 2023). "Jest wniosek o wpis hotelu Sobieski do rejestru zabytków. To reakcja na start prac nad przemalowaniem budynku". warszawa.wyborcza.pl (in Polish).
  5. 1 2 Mateusz Bzówka, Ewelina Klećkowska: OCH. Ilustrowany atlas architektury Ochoty. Warsaw: Centrum Architektury, 2016, p. 20. ISBN 978-83-943750-2-7. (in Polish)
  6. ↑ "Hotel Sobieski z przyległym biurowcem sprzedany za ponad 50 mln euro". propertyness.pl (in Polish). 29 July 2011.
  7. 1 2 "Rezidor announces the Radisson Blu Sobieski Hotel, Warsaw". hospitality-on.com. 18 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Tomasz Urzykowski (14 June 2023). "Był kolorowy, jest szaro-biały. Po odsłonięciu elewacji Hotel Sobieski nadal wzbudza skrajne emocje". warszawa.wyborcza.pl (in Polish).
  9. ↑ "Kolorowy hotel będzie zabytkiem? 'Wniosek o wpis do rejestru złożony za późno'". tvn24.pl (in Polish). 1 March 2023.
  10. ↑ Marta Leśniakowska: Architektura w Warszawie. Warsaw: Arkada Pracownia Historii Sztuki, 2005, p. 148. ISBN 83-908950-8-0. (in Polish)