In 2024, ZEITGEIST Asset Management completed several renovation projects in Central Europe, continuing its focus on the adaptive reuse of existing buildings rather than demolition and new construction. The developer finalised three building refurbishments in central Warsaw and completed the restoration of the historic Dunaj Palace in Prague’s UNESCO heritage zone. The company’s approach reflects a growing trend in urban development: maintaining the architectural integrity of buildings while adapting them for modern use. By renovating rather than demolishing, developers can reduce environmental impact, preserve historical character, and contribute to more sustainable city planning. According to Peter Noack, co-founder and managing director at ZEITGEIST Asset Management, modern renovation techniques allow old structures to meet current quality standards while maintaining their original design. “These buildings not only retain their atmosphere, but also contribute to more coherent and attractive city spaces,” he said. In Warsaw, ZEITGEIST completed three major projects in 2024. The first, a 1960s office building in the Solec district, was transformed into a student residence. Another project involved the renovation of a historic tenement house in Old Praga, and the third was the refurbishment of a former shopping centre on Św. Barbary Street, near the Office of Telecommunications and Telegraphy on Nowogrodzka. Tomasz Dąbrowski, Managing Director of ZEITGEIST in Poland, noted that adapting historic buildings for residential use supports urban goals such as the “15-minute city” concept. “Shorter travel distances reduce traffic and improve quality of life by allowing residents to spend more time with family or in the community,” he said. ZEITGEIST reports strong demand for its renovated properties. In Warsaw, most of the 130 apartments at Wrzesińska Street have already been rented, while the Solec student residence has been fully occupied since opening. Much of Warsaw’s architectural heritage is modernist, particularly from the post-war period. Many of these buildings suffered during poor-quality restorations in the 1980s and 1990s. Recent projects aim to reverse that damage and recover original design elements. For example, the renovation of the student residence at Solec 22 preserved the building’s original facade and staircase, with architectural features typical of 1960s modernism, including large windows and open ground floors. At Św. Barbary 6/8, ZEITGEIST chose to highlight modest architectural details rather than replace them. The renovation focused on restoring metalwork, including the original entrance gate and courtyard-facing galleries. The building’s original light pink colour was also reinstated, along with terrazzo facade elements characteristic of the period. In Old Praga, ZEITGEIST restored a tenement at Wrzesińska 2 that had fallen into disrepair. Originally built in 1863, the building later became the seat of a Jewish school after World War II. Renovation efforts included the preservation of original woodwork, mezzanine structures, and the historic entry gate. The company follows a similar strategy in the Czech Republic. Its flagship revitalisation project, Palác Dunaj in Prague, is a notable example. Originally designed by architect Adolf Foehr, the constructivist building has been restored and now hosts the offices of the European Commission and the European Parliament, among others. ZEITGEIST is currently managing around 60 revitalisation projects across Poland and the Czech Republic. According to Dąbrowski, the goal is to give historical buildings a new function while preserving their past. “Through restoration, we help people connect with the history of their city while meeting contemporary needs,” he said.