Renovation of the facade of the historic Polish Post Office building in Elbląg completed

The renovation of the 19th-century Polish Post Office building located at Słowiański Square in Elbląg has been completed. The building, under the care of a heritage conservator, already has a refreshed and restored façade. The next phase of work is planned to include renovations to the interior façade, courtyard, and roof. All work restoring this unique building to its former glory was financed from Poczta Polska's own funds.

The building – one of the most beautiful post offices in the country, with a wealth of decorative details – is made of red brick and sandstone. It was built in 1887 by Elbląg master builder Otto Depmeyer. The artist designed many impressive buildings in Elbląg, which were built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and survived World War II. From its inception, the complex served as the headquarters of the Post Office, and since 1945, it has housed, among other things, the company's most important office in the city – the Elbląg 1 Post Office. In 1994, the building was added to the register of historic monuments.

"Elbląg is one of the most beautiful cities not only in the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, but also in all of Poland. It stands out for its magnificent culture, architecture, and tourist attractions. Today marks the end of an eight-year renovation of a building that is one of our city's landmarks. During World War II, the building miraculously survived. Information about the enormous scale of the building's devastation as a result of warfare can be found in numerous historical accounts by witnesses to the reconstruction, including, above all, the memoirs of postmen. Today, we are restoring the splendour of this building – one of the most important in Elbląg ," says Andrzej Śliwka, Secretary of State at the Ministry of State Assets.

The building's renovation has been ongoing for eight years. The first step was to prepare design and conservation documentation. Then, between 2016 and 2021, the exterior facades facing Garbary and Rycerska Streets were renovated, and the attics (the decorative extension of the building's exterior wall) were secured. Sheet metal work was also performed. A year later, the tower was renovated, and in 2023, the historic section of the building facing Wieżowa Street. Recent work included the exterior facade (brick and stone structure) and sheet metal work. During the work, each element of the facade was also cleaned. Gaps were filled, joints replaced, and structural reinforcements were added. In total, over 100 square meters of the facade were renovated.

In the coming years, renovations to the internal facades (facing the courtyard), the courtyard itself, and the building's roof are planned. All renovations are being financed from Poczta Polska's own funds.

"Many of the facilities that house post offices, among other things, are historic buildings, overseen by heritage curators. These are usually large buildings, so renovation requires time and significant financial outlay. As a company that cares about historical heritage, we want to restore the splendor of these exceptional buildings so that these architectural gems delight residents and constitute a unique tourist attraction in the region," says Krzysztof Falkowski, President of Poczta Polska.

The Polish Post Office operates 867 buildings under various conservation supervision. These include post offices, among other things. The company systematically renovates those that require renovation. It preserves historic buildings, protects them from deterioration, and strives to restore them to their proper technical condition. Renovating historic buildings is not only expensive but also requires more labor than renovating ordinary buildings. In the case of historic properties, the facade is restored, and original elements and architectural details are restored.