Sixty-six years after the end of the Second World War, Warsaw’s Jewish community is debating whether or not to destroy a building on old ghetto territory, in order to replace it with a 180-meter-tall tower.
The old office block in question is situated in the heart of the city. Plans are in place to demolish the historical building, and replace it with a tower that would include residential and office spaces, as well as a hotel for ultra-Orthodox Jews – a project that is expected to attract significant revenues.
Heads of the community maintain that the building, which underwent certain changes in the 1990s, has practically lost its historical value, and - equally as important, they say - it no longer fulfills the needs of its institutions. According to Poland’s virtual exhibition of Jewish heritage (under construction) the building was built in the mid-19th century and in addition to housing the community offices, which served about 300,000 people, it was a medical clinic for the poor. During the Holocaust it also served as a temporary hospital.
A group of Polish and Jewish architects and intellectual businessmen see the building set for demolition as a crucial part of the site, which is also home to a Jewish theater and the only synagogue that survived the Nazi rule (despite that the Nazis used the synagogue as a horses stable). Today, in addition to being the central place of prayer in Warsaw, the synagogue hosts concerts and exhibitions.
Warsaw’s city council has an encouraging approach to the center and its surroundings, which are currently undergoing a process of renovations intended to return their historical character. Those who oppose the demolition are trying to get the building heritage listed, which would prevent any changes being made to it. Community chairman Piotr Kadltz’ik said in an interview with the magazine “Midrash” (study) that he sees the attempt to preserve the building in its current form as an act that counters the basic interests of the city's Jewish population. Kadltz’ik filed an objection, opposing the request for heritage listing.
The community has been granted an extension of three months to explain its position. The final decision on whether or not to demolish the building will be made early in the coming year.
