Warsaw. The great return of the former Cepelia pavilion. The Empik store will open

On Friday, December 13, life will return to the pavilion of the former Cepelia at the corner of Marszałkowska and Aleje Jerozolimskie. The Empik chain will open its flagship store here. During the renovation, which lasted less than a year, the building underwent a phenomenal metamorphosis and regained its original appearance, typical of late modernism.

The Cepelia pavilion was created based on the design of the outstanding architect Zygmunt Stępiński. His works are a symbol of Warsaw created from the ruins. The architect was responsible, among others, for: for the reconstruction of Nowy Świat, co-designed the Marszałkowska Residential District and the WZ Route. The plan for the Metropol hotel located next to Cepelia was also created on his drawing table.

Ceramics, fabrics and furniture

The pavilion's structure featured a light steel frame and almost entirely glass facades, which made the first floor appear to be floating in the air. The entire project was based on the concept of a commercial and service premises merging with the street.

The part of the façade on the hotel side that was not glazed was covered with hand-fired turquoise ceramic tiles. These were decorated with geometric shapes, which made each one unique.

This is what was written about the Cepelia pavilion in May 1966, i.e. just after its opening, in the weekly “Stolica”.

“In the central point of the city, at the intersection of Marszałkowska Street and Aleja Jerozolimskie, the largest exhibition and commercial pavilion in the country, Cepelia, was opened last month. The symbolic cutting of the ribbon was performed by the chairman of the Presidium of the Capital National Council, Janusz Zarzycki. The opening was accompanied by a band from Opoczno in regional costumes. . The pavilion's 9 stands feature several thousand different types of products. The ground floor has character exhibition, furniture, sculptures and miniatures are sold. There is also a section of regional fabrics and a section with gifts. Ceramics and straw products dominate on the first floor: from animal miniatures and dolls, through plates, trays and various mats to attractive baskets beautiful furniture, various types of benches, armchairs, seats, chests, etc. made according to folk patterns by craftsmen,” the weekly reported.

Artistic crafts reigned supreme on the ground and first floors of the building for decades to come. Then came the 1990s, political and economic changes, and with them the liquidation of Cepelia. Successive tenants moved in and out of the pavilion. The facade of the building also underwent changes. It was covered with a monstrous orange cladding, and the building itself became a “hanger” for advertising. On the roof, a screen was installed on which they were displayed. There was also a public debt counter by Leszek Balcerowicz. In turn, unique ceramic tiles have been covered with bohemians and graffiti for years.

For several years the building stood empty and fell into ruin. In 2019, it was entered into the register of monuments. In January 2024, due to the condition of the facility, the Masovian Voivodeship Conservator of Monuments ordered urgent conservation and construction works. The renovation soon began, but who the investor was was kept secret for several months. The cards were discovered in May, when it was announced that Empik would move into the pavilion.

Conservation tidbits

On Thursday, December 12, journalists could visit the pavilion, ready for opening. He gave tours around the restored building, among others. Radosław Gajda, architect, urban planner and co-author of the video blog about architecture and art “Architecture is a good idea”.

– This is a unique place, the last modernist pavilion, preserved in such a condition that it can be found in the value that determined its entry into the register of monuments. During a tedious and difficult renovation, we managed to restore it to the appearance that its creator, Zygmunt Stępiński, imagined almost 60 years ago – said Radosław Gajda.

The architect noted that the original features of the pavilion were recreated. One of them is the zigzag, glass façade. – It was an expression of architectural expression and an encouragement to look inside and admire the displayed goods. It was not only a commercial pavilion, but also an exhibition pavilion, Gajda noted. Outside, not only the façade was recreated, but also the so-called small architecture. It was made of terrazzo, in accordance with conservation guidelines.

The turquoise tiles have also been completely restored. The ceramic element connects the interior and exterior of the building. The mosaic can be admired both inside and standing in front of the building from the Metropol hotel side.

When standing in front of the pavilion, you can also pay attention to the mast. As it turns out, this structure was originally designed by Zygmunt Stępiński, but it was not implemented until 58 years later. Soon the flag of the new host will be hoisted.

There are more conservation tidbits in the renovated pavilion. On the first floor, a fragment of sheet metal from the former façade was exposed, with a characteristic neon sign with a rooster – Cepelia's hallmark. The neon itself was dismantled many years ago, but now it has been recreated following the outline that was imprinted on the sheet metal. Thanks to the glass façade, the glowing rooster can be admired in the evening from Nowogrodzka Street.

Originally, Cepelia's commercial stands were located on the ground and first floors. A warehouse was located in the basement. At the turn of the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century, there was a Ferment pub here. Empik used this space for commercial purposes. As Radosław Gajda explained, it was necessary to deepen the floor by several dozen centimeters.

35,000 products on 1,300 square meters

In the basement of the pavilion, a space has been arranged where meetings with authors, concerts, book and album premieres, and autograph sessions will be held. Inside: a small stage, 100 seats for the audience and technical facilities for online broadcasts.

The shelves of the new chain store have approximately 35,000. products. More than half of them are books. Along with toys and board games, bookshelves are located on the first floor. There, in the corner facing the Dmowski roundabout, there is a reading corner with a sofa and a table with high chairs for working on a computer. On the ground floor there are stationery, creative and gift wrapping supplies. There is also a newspaper corner and a shelf with books about Warsaw and souvenirs. In the basement, in addition to the club mentioned above, there are music shelves with a wide selection of CDs, vinyl records and musical gadgets. Record players are also on display. There are cash registers and self-service checkouts on each level. The store area is 1,300 square meters in total.

An Empik chain store was opened in the pavilion of the former Cepelia