Located in the heart of Powiśle, the striking, hyper trendy space known as Elektrownia Powiśle may trace its roots back to the early 20th century. But it’s only in the last few years that the former power plant has burst forth with new life in the form of shops, restaurants, bars, activities and more.
And this year is a big one for the beloved cultural and gastronomic hub: Elektrownia Powiśle is celebrating its 5th anniversary since its major revitalization project! That’s five years of inspired projects, five years of premiers and vibrant shows, five years of culinary events, and five years of good food and good shopping and more.
In our view, a special anniversary warrants a special treatment, so for its fifth birthday, let’s look at 5 reasons this spot thrives and bustles with life, drawing in tons of visitors every day.
A Powerful Story
First, let’s look at the fascinating history of what many say is the best urban revitalization project in Poland. Elektrownia Powiśle tells an intriguing history, dating back to 1904, when it began operating as a municipal power plant supplying electricity to the growing city of Warsaw. Over the decades, the site expanded and modernised, eventually becoming one of the most advanced and largest power facilities in Poland. During World War II, the facility director purposefully hired individuals to protect them from round-ups in the streets and the possibility of ending up in forced labour or a concentration camp. The heroic employees of the plant worked tirelessly during the intense battles of the Warsaw Uprising to keep the occupied capital supplied with power. The facility would continue to operate all the way up until 2001, and, for the next decade or so, the plant stood idle. But that was far from the end of its story.
Jump ahead to 2015 when Tristan Capital Partners and White Star Real Estate acquired the historic industrial site. The developers aimed to preserve the character of the space, retaining as many elements of the historic structure as possible in the redevelopment and revitalisation of the project.
Elements that could no longer serve their original purpose were not disposed of, and instead became elements of the premises' unique interior design. Even traditional brick-baking methods were used in material production. It won the Best Mixed-use Development category at the prestigious MIPIM Awards 2021 in Cannes – basically the Oscars of the real estate world - and has also received the ESG Champion Building of the Year at the 2023 CEE Quality Awards.
Retail Options Abound
Elektrownia Powiśle is one of the top spots in Warsaw for thoughtful and stylish shopping – whether you’re looking for a gift or something special for yourself. From food and fashion to accessories, shoes, books, and art, this destination offers a carefully curated selection with something for every taste. Not only that, but there’s a strong focus on Polish brands such as Elementy, Balagan, Orska, as well as international brands, including COS, Weekday, and Urban Outfitters. For shoes, visit the Run Colors store or the Shoe House Klasyczne Buty boutique. For fragrance lovers, Galilu offers a carefully curated selection of niche perfumes from the world’s most sought-after houses. Avalonia Vintage brings fashion with a story – think blazers, jackets, and accessories where the past meets the present. And for those in search of impeccable tailoring, tailor-made suits for men can be pursued at Kraviec. More-renowned global brands are found at Chosen By boutique, possessing the likes of Dior, Chanel, and many others.Find Incredible Restaurants
The food scene at Elektrownia Powiśle is truly unmatched. And that’s largely due to its extensive restaurant offerings. There are 41 restaurants, bars and cafes located in this space (no, really!) and lovers of all kinds of international cuisines, including Polish of course, will find something to love here. Think Turkish, Georgian, Italian, Vietnamese… the list goes on! There are, of course, plenty of elegant and upscale restaurants within Elektrownia. The whole complex is an intriguing landscape of flavours, fragrances, and emotions for even the most demanding clientele.
Some highly recommended spots are the Asian restaurant Pełną Parą, which serves up delicious savory (and colorful) dumplings or Thai PaTaThai with some truly authentic Thai food. The Italian Madre will ensure you get top-notch fluffy crust pizza, while Bakery serves up delightful breakfasts and pastries. Head over to Tex-Mex Blue Cactus for great tacos (and other dishes) dripping in flavor, or try the beloved Polish restaurant, Dock19 by Mateusz Gessler (a master on the culinary scene of Warsaw). Find more incredible dishes at Dym and Ivy Lounge, tasty Spanish food at Tres Toros, real American meat at Prime Cut & Cigar Room and still more excellent Polish and Ukrainian dishes at the popular Milk Bar.
Travel the Culinary World at Food Hall
One of the biggest draws of Elektrownia Powiśle is the famous Food Hall, which offers 17 stalls with different types of food, from dumplings to pizza, to even more specific stalls (try the Philly cheesesteak!). Plus it’s all held in a gorgeous space with high ceilings and plenty of tables so you can meet with friends or family. Head over to their extensive bar for a cocktail and grab a bite at one of their stalls before heading out to enjoy their outdoor garden – it’s truly the ultimate summer experience!
The Beauty Hall is Top Notch
It doesn’t stop at food! It is also home to a Beauty Hall - a dedicated space for beauty and relaxation, offering a wide range of services for both women and men. Among the standout salons are Warszawska Izba Lordów, providing comprehensive grooming and care for men; Beauty Skin, specialising in advanced face and body treatments or Balance & Beauty by Marta Bem, which takes a holistic approach to wellbeing through massages and therapeutic sessions.Visit the concierge who will assist you in finding treatments, and even making a reservation!Home to Incredible Events
Almost every day, Elektrownia is buzzing with social life thanks in part to its long list of events (not to mention its popularity, of course). This summer, come on Wednesdays for live music on the square in front of Elektrownia.On Fridays and Saturdays find"Dźwięki Powiśla" with DJs at the Food Hall. During the week, take part in a networking event where you “Eat, meet, make new friends, repeat”.
Meanwhile, on level 0 there is the Kakadu karaoke & bar, which is open every day and offers private karaoke rooms for various numbers of people.
There is quite literally always something to do!
Elektrownia Powiśle is one of Warsaw’s top attractions at any time of year but especially in the summer and especially on their fifth anniversary. This is when you can truly see just how much this beloved space has adapted and grown from a former, empty factory to a bustling hub of life, culture, food, art, shopping and more. The heart of Powiśle.
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