The transfer of the "Spyville" (Szpiegowo) complex of buildings to the city as a donation is now in its final stages. The buildings will become part of the municipal resources. According to the city hall, after renovation, the complex will house representatives of "professional groups important from the perspective of public interest."
It has been over 2.5 years since the city took over the property, located on Sobieskiego Street in Mokotów, from the Russian Federation Embassy. While the city formally manages the property, it is not yet the legal owner.
"The property located at Sobieskiego 100 is owned by the State Treasury. The mayor of Warsaw manages the State Treasury properties in the city, but all ownership decisions are made with the consent of the Mazovian Voivode," explains Marzena Gawkowska, deputy spokesperson for the Warsaw city hall.
According to Gawkowska, since taking over the property, the mayor of Warsaw has intended to use the "Spyville" buildings for housing purposes. "This requires the renovation of the existing building and the construction of a new residential building. The property is not planned to be sold," emphasizes Gawkowska.
The city is waiting for the voivode
The building complex, which was completed in 1980, requires comprehensive modernization. The estimated costs are high, with the city hall mentioning up to 70 million złotys.
"The State Treasury, which is the property owner, does not have such funds available. However, the city could use funds reserved in the state budget through the Housing Subsidy Fund, managed by the National Development Bank. These funds can only be used if the city owns the property, not the State Treasury. This would allow up to 80 percent of the investment costs to be covered," says Marzena Gawkowska.
On May 21, the mayor of Warsaw requested the Mazovian Voivode to transfer the property as a donation for non-commercial housing purposes.
"The apartments would be available for rental, for example, in connection with employment, meaning fixed-term leases (for the duration of the employment relationship) for professional groups important from the public interest perspective, such as ensuring continuity in the provision of public services in the city. We are waiting for the voivode’s decision," Gawkowska adds.
This would include, among others, police officers, municipal guards, and teachers. Joanna Bachanek, spokesperson for the Mazovian Voivode, informed that "the final stage of the decision-making process is underway."
In a conversation with Radio Eska, Warsaw’s Deputy Mayor Aldona Machnowska-Góra confirmed that the buildings would be transferred to the municipal resources. "The city council’s decisions will allow the use of these premises, which we will be renovating and building, either for the fire service or the Warsaw police, said Rafał Trzaskowski’s deputy.
Over 2.5 years since the transfer
The city took over "Spyville" in April 2022. The building at Sobieskiego Street 100, which was inhabited by employees of the Russian embassy during the PRL era, contains more than 100 apartments. The building was abandoned years ago and is in need of renovation.
Over the years, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Warsaw city authorities made several attempts to resolve the legal status of the property, both for the Russian Federation in Poland and for Poland in Russia.
The entire complex covers more than 7,000 square meters of usable space. It housed employees of the embassy and the trade representation. The building also served additional functions, with a nightclub facing the street and a basketball hall in the basement.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, tvnwarszawa.pl
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Artur Węgrzynowicz/tvnwarszawa.pl