Warsaw. Renovation of the Cepelia pavilion, when will Empik open?

“Conservation work on the ceramic cladding by Stanisław Kucharski has already been completed. As a historical witness, a fragment of the former tin cladding of the façade with the Cepelia logo was installed inside the pavilion, giving an image of the original standard of finishing of the building,” the Mazovian Provincial Conservator of Monuments announced on social media.

He also pointed out that the final assembly works on the facades are continuing. He explained that the aluminum sheet was produced for the needs of the investment and profiled in accordance with the original. “Based on the conservator's guidelines, it was decided not to paint it, thanks to which the pavilion will regain its raw aesthetic expression typical of projects from the 1960s, and over time a natural patina will appear on it,” the conservator said.

In turn, around the pavilion there are showcases and small architecture in the form of lawns and retaining walls, finished with coarse-grained terrazzo. As revealed by “Gazeta Stołeczna”, a green square is to be built in today's parking lot between the pavilion and the Metropol hotel.

The pavilion was designed by the outstanding architect Zygmunt Stępiński and was built in 1966. The 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. For decades, the building housed a shop offering handicrafts by Polish folk artists.

Over time, Cepelia gave way to other shops and service points. The tin façade was covered with colorful orange cladding. There were also large-format advertisements, as well as pseudo-graffiti and bohemian paintings on ceramics. After the last tenant moved out, nothing happened in the ruined monument for several years.

The breakthrough came in February this year. The long-awaited renovation has begun. Who would move into the building was initially shrouded in mystery. It was only at the beginning of May that Empik announced that a three-story bookstore of this chain would be located in the monument, along with a stage for cultural events and author meetings.

The new Empik store will fill the gap left by the flagship store, which was located at Nowy Świat for over 70 years. The company left there in 2022 because it did not agree to a significant rent increase. Since then, the tenement house has been empty.

We asked Empik about the exact opening date of the new showroom. The company's spokeswoman, Monika Marianowicz, asked for patience. – We will reveal the specific opening date and details after the necessary inspections, scheduled after the completion of all works covered by the building permit – announced Marianowicz.