Capital Park Group is celebrating the second anniversary of its flagship investment in Warsaw’s Wola district. Fabryka Norblina is now almost fully leased, with 14 new concepts joining the complex over the past year, together occupying nearly 7,400 sqm. During this period, the complex at 51/53 Żelazna Street welcomed almost 14 million visitors.
Exactly two years have passed since the former Norblin, Bracia Buch and T. Werner factories began their second life. The complex opened in September 2021, and in its second year of operation recorded 13,773,000 visits. During the anniversary weekend alone—23 and 24 September—nearly 180,000 guests visited the complex.
“The second anniversary of Fabryka Norblina is an important reason for joy and celebration for us. When we started this project, we expected it to become a popular place in the capital, but reality has exceeded our expectations. Fabryka Norblina very quickly won the hearts of Warsaw residents and tourists, as well as entrepreneurs. With the opening of new concepts, visitor numbers have grown steadily, and in each of the last three months we have welcomed more than 2 million guests. The occupancy rate of the complex currently stands at 98%, with less than 600 sqm of space remaining to be fully commercialized” – says Kinga Nowakowska, Member of the Management Board and Chief Operating Officer at Capital Park Group.
Over the past 12 months, new tenant spaces have opened across the complex, collectively covering nearly 7,400 sqm. Several new concepts have joined Poland’s largest dining destination, spanning almost 10,000 sqm, including the MOXO restaurant and music club (1,200 sqm), the Lebanese restaurant Amar Beirut (700 sqm), the Wine First wine bar (150 sqm), Bibi’s Cafe & Bar (180 sqm), The Bakery (70 sqm) and Donkey Shoe (130 sqm).
Most recently, Capital Park Group also signed a lease agreement with Answear.com. The fashion giant will soon enhance Fabryka Norblina’s retail offer with the opening of Answear.com’s first—and currently only—brick-and-mortar store, alongside the relocation of the PRM brand store. Together, the two stores will occupy 2,500 sqm.
The service offer has been complemented by two travel agencies—Krok Travel (25 sqm) and Itaka (23 sqm)—while the entertainment zone has been expanded with Smart Kids Planet – the Center for Smart Play (1,600 sqm), which chose Fabryka Norblina as its new location and has enjoyed sustained interest from younger visitors since opening. The Health & Beauty Zone has been enriched with the prestigious Dębski Clinic (219 sqm), the Dr Irena Eris Cosmetic Institute (230 sqm), as well as two hair salons—Magia Blondu (200 sqm) and Barber Garage (90 sqm).
Fabryka Norblina features one of the most technologically advanced mobile applications of its kind, used by tenants, employees and visitors alike. Its popularity continues to grow, with more than 155,000 downloads recorded by the end of August this year. The application was recognized with an award at this year’s PropTech Festival.
In addition to regular concerts and exhibitions held at Fabryka Norblina, the past year also saw numerous exceptional events that attracted enthusiasts from many fields to Żelazna Street. Lovers of contemporary art had the opportunity to see original exhibitions at Art Box Experience, including “Save the Planet,” “Retro Warsaw,” and the highly popular “Immersive Monet & The Impressionists,” which was visited by more than 85,000 people.
In June, Food Town hosted the world’s bartending elite. Performances by top bartenders could be admired during the World Flair Association Grand Slam, a competition that returned to Poland after a 12-year absence. Meanwhile, the boutique Kinogram cinema hosted nearly 500 events and 130 film premieres, including major titles such as “Barbie” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, “The Little Mermaid,” and “100 Years of Warner Bros.” These events attracted crowds of Polish film stars and celebrities and generated significant media interest.
In its second year of operation, Fabryka Norblina also obtained the “Barrier-Free Facility” certificate, as well as final BREEAM certifications for both its office and retail components, at the Excellent and Very Good levels respectively. Confirmation of the project’s success and the effective revitalization of post-industrial land came with its victory at the 2022 ULI Global Awards for Excellence. Capital Park Group’s investment was one of only two European projects to be included among the five best developments worldwide.
Fabryka Norblina is a mixed-use complex located in the heart of Warsaw’s Wola district. Following a multi-year revitalization of the former Norblin, Bracia Buch and T. Werner factories carried out by Capital Park Group, the complex reopened to the city in September 2021. Its total area exceeds 65,000 sqm, including 41,000 sqm of office space.
Visitors to Fabryka Norblina can enjoy a wide range of cultural, entertainment and dining concepts, including the original boutique cinema KinoGram, the eco-market BioBazar, the capital’s largest dining zone with Food Town and full-service restaurants, Piano Bar with live music, the MOXO restaurant and music club, the three-level Amar Beirut restaurant, the Museum of Fabryka Norblina, the Art Box Experience gallery, Apple Museum Poland, Smart Kids Planet, as well as retail stores, service outlets and a dedicated health and beauty zone.