Skanska has begun construction of the Nowy Format office complex in Kraków’s central Grzegórzki district, marking the start of the project’s first phase.
The development, located on the site of a former newspaper printing plant, will deliver more than 21,000m² of Class A office space.
Skanska is investing approximately €66m ($76m) in the initial stage.
The first building, Nowy Format A1, is planned as a nine-storey structure providing 21,400m² of gross leasable area.
Construction is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2026, with completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2028.
The contract for construction services is valued at approximately 140m zlotys ($37.2m) and will be included in Skanska’s order bookings for Europe in the third quarter of 2026.
Nowy Format A1 is being developed with a focus on energy efficiency.
The building is designed to operate without a connection to Kraków’s district heating network, instead using a fully electric model supported by heat pumps.
According to Skanska, the building will use electricity solely from renewable sources backed by guarantees of origin. The design aims for net zero operational CO₂ emissions.
Skanska Commercial Development Europe Poland operations executive vice-president Roland Jarosz said: “The building has been designed without a connection to the district heating network, featuring a fully electric operational model and to set a new benchmark for energy performance.
“This is not an extra feature, but one of the project's core pillars. Additionally, the entire complex will be 100% powered by renewable electricity backed by guarantees of origin.”
Skanska has targeted several certifications for the building, including LEED Core & Shell, WELL Core & Shell and 'Building Without Barriers.
The project is also intended to meet the requirements of the EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities.
To support environmental and operational monitoring, tools for real-time utility monitoring, CO₂ emission calculations, and a WasteTracker system will be introduced.
Planned amenities include an 1,800m² garden, over 300m² of private green terraces for tenants and a community urban fruit orchard.
The building’s transportation features will include 150 bicycle parking spaces, facilities for cyclists and a dedicated bicycle lift.
The site offers access to a major public transport hub with 15 tram lines and is within a 30-minute drive of Kraków Airport.
The Nowy Format development will ultimately comprise three office buildings, offering about 48,000m² of space.
Earlier this month, Skanska secured a contract from the District Department of Transportation in Washington, DC, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, to undertake significant rehabilitation work on the I-395 Northbound Bridge.
