The 7th of June, AF Group Polska signed a contract for the demolition of Warsaws most famous ecological bomb. The object that is to be demolished are the famous factories of Roza Luksemburg, a light bulb factory established in the center of Warsaw by Philips in 1922.

For many Varsovians, theses building are a city landmark and a historical symbol. Used by the Germans during the II WW for production of parts for submarines and tanks, it was later taken over during the famous Warsaw uprising.

In the years that followed the war, the factory continued production of electronics, transistors and among other, light bulbs containing mercury. This activity was developed and increased until 1991, when production was moved to other plants and Roza Luksemburg was bought by private investors.

All plans to renovate the area into offices and lofts where put on hold in 1994 as analyses showed that the building was highly contaminated by mercury, as well as other chemicals and heavy metals.

Many years later, with high land prices in Warsaw making a demolition worth the hassle, the new owners finally took the step to take down the buildings. Two environmental studies were made, and five demolition companies were elected in the first phase to prepare an offer and strategy for the demolition work. After a few months of discussions, AF Group Polska was elected and invited to negotiations. This long procedure was finalized on the 7th of June, when AF Group Polska and the investor LC Corp signed the contract.

The value of the contract is 10,8k NOK (5,75 mln PLN). This sum only includes work above ground level, and additional works are to be expected in basement area at the end of the project. The mapping of the objects has already begun, and will be continued by manual works during the fall, whereas the machine demolition will take place in winter/spring.

All in all, three buildings 40 meters high will be demolished, at a total cubature of more than 140.000 m3. Except for being the largest project for AF Group Polska so far, it is one of the largest demolition projects in Poland this year. And definitively the most famous, as it will forever change the landscape of Warsaw.

Natalia Depo, AF Group Polska