Final foundation stone laid for Alchemia

06 April 2018

On 5 April, a foundation stone was laid under the NEON building, the final stage of the Alchemia business centre currently being developed in Gdańsk. Complementing its predecessors in both architectural style and functionality, the building will be the last part of the complex that has been in development by Torus since 2011. NEON will bring over 35,000 sq. m of space to the market, with approx. 33,500 sq. m dedicated to office space.

With the foundation stone just put in place, the NEON building will be the final stage of the unique investment project that is ALCHEMIA. Today’s event feels like powering up a generator that will provide the energy needed for the building’s construction. I am sure there will be no shortage of this energy, as we all strongly believe that we are creating something for our residents and for our city, something that is also beautiful. I find every event held by Torus very touching, but also a great source of joy. I would like to take this moment to express my admiration for those involved in the creation of these wonderful and highly complex buildings. I would like to thank them for their engagement and hope they draw a great deal of satisfaction in their work, as we undertake this unique, creative task.

Małgorzata Dobrowolska, Torus owner, said.

NEON will be the final element of Torus’ Alchemia. Like its immediate predecessor, ARGON (Alchemia III), the building will have an H-letter shape, though each floor will feature two separate shafts. Its architectural design will reflect that of the neighbouring Alchemia I and III. The NEON building will deliver to the market approx. 33,500 sq. m of office space and a little over 1,500 sq. m of retail space on the ground floor. A typical floor will feature over 3,000 sq. m of office space, though the developer will also offer smaller office modules from 300 sq. m. The investment project will include 317 carpark spaces located almost entirely within the building (levels -2, -1, +1, +2). There will also be 334 parking spaces for bicycles with all the necessary amenities for cyclists. Ground-level retail and services are set to include additional food shops and a preschool. NEON is expected to obtain its use permit between Q3 and Q4 2019.

When working on Alchemia we have tried to not only learn from experience with our earlier projects, especially Arkońska Business Park, but go a step further when thinking about commercial buildings and office space in the city. We put quality first and have always been – this attracts demanding tenants and investors, as well as a diverse and accessible offer of retail services, coming together to give our business centre a truly urban feel. NEON is the fulfillment of this multi-stage project, a realisation of the vision, which, even in 2011, was deemed by some as too bold for the Polish office property market.

Sławomir Gajewski, Torus Chairman of the Board, said.

Alchemia has set the quality and functionality standards on both the Tricity and Polish markets. Each consecutive stage of the investment delivered office space of the highest quality to the Tricity market, as well as a variety of convenient retail services, making Alchemia a true element of the city that is available to all. The first stage of Alchemia involved the creation of the largest sports and recreation centre in Tricity, with swimming pools, saunas, gym, fitness room and a sports hall. These facilities are equally available to Alchemia employees, Gdańsk residents, school students and professional athletes alike. The second stage of Alchemia, also offering office and retail space, received the prestigious New Office of the Year award at the 2015 Eurobuild Awards gala, the most prominent commercial real estate competition in Poland. Alchemia II beat 18 other projects to the prize. For ARGON, the third stage of Alchemia, the defining feature is its wide range of eateries and take away shops. Together with the retail services that will open with the newest NEON building, they will form a busy pedestrian throughway with shops and minor landscaping. The tenants of Alchemia are large international companies, including Street Bank Polska, Lufthansa Systems Poland, Kemira, as well as well-known Polish ones like Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Oświatowe, Grupa Wirtualna Polska and Torus, the building’s property developer. Alchemia plays a large part in the urban renewal of the local area, having been built over the former Chemia industrial buildings.

The tenants of Alchemia are large international companies, including Street Bank Polska, Lufthansa Systems Poland, Kemira, as well as well-known Polish ones like Gdańskie Wydawnictwo Oświatowe, Grupa Wirtualna Polska and Torus, the building’s property developer. Alchemia plays a large part in the urban renewal of the local area, having been built over the former Chemia industrial buildings. All Alchemia buildings are certified under the U.S.-based LEED rating scheme for energy efficient buildings, attaining the highest possible level – Platinum. This means that the buildings meet the highest quality standards, taking employee and visitors’ health, and the environment, into account. Alchemia was designed by Warsaw’s APA Wojciechowski and its LEED consultant is Architects & Consultants / AVA Agnes Vorbrodt & Associates.