The festive atmosphere has reached Elektrownia Powiśle, the former power plant located in the Powiśle district on the Vistula riverside. A beloved industrial space revitalization project, Elektrownia is now decked out in lights, filled with holiday smells, and awash with winter attractions! 

A Rich History

Before getting into the exciting holiday events, let’s look at the fascinating history of what many say is the best urban revitalization project in Poland. Elektrownia Powiśle dates back to 1904, when rapidly-developing and modernising Warsaw (then part of the Russian Empire) was in dire need of getting electricity into the grid. During WWII, 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. 
 

In 2015, Tristan Capital Partners and White Star Real Estate acquired the historic industrial site, setting their sights on adapting it into a multipurpose commercial, residential, and recreational space. That being said, the developers were adamant about preserving its character and history. Elements that could no longer serve their original function were adapted into the premises' unique interior design. Traditional brick-baking methods were used in the material production. It was thanks to this care that Elektrownia has won the Best Mixed-use Development category at the prestigious MIPIM Awards 2021 in Cannes – basically the Oscars of the real estate world - and it has also received the ESG Champion Building of the Year at the 2023 CEE Quality Awards.

A Popular Hub

Combining spaces of all kinds - commercial, gastronomic, event, office, hotel, service, and even residential - this multifunctional zone now generates a different kind of energy! And, with everything to offer from food to retail, it’s the perfect way to spend a shopping Saturday (or Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday…) ahead of the holidays!

Elektrownia Powiśle is a culinary capital in Warsaw. There are 41 restaurants, bars and cafes—and lovers of international cuisine are destined to find something that will win over their taste buds. The famous Elektrownia Food Hall (p.??) includes cuisines from all over, including Turkish, Georgian, Italian, Vietnamese… the list goes on! There are, of course, more elegant and upscale restaurants within Elektrownia. The whole complex is an intriguing landscape of flavours, fragrances, and emotions for the more demanding clientele, those with discernibly refined tastes who value the atmosphere and surroundings of dining as much as the consumable elements!
 

It doesn’t stop at food! Elektrownia offers a Beauty Hall, too, an innovative, one-of-a-kind concept (in fact, the only one in Poland) that gives the comfort of holistic beauty concept on a larger scale. Across 1,500 sqm, you’ll find 8 beauty and wellness centers with over 450 services available for both women and men - everything from hair and nail salons, to natural cosmetics to practitioners of aesthetic medicine. Visit the concierge who will assist you in finding treatments, and even making a reservation!

On top of the Food Hall and the Beauty Hall, Elektrownia offers 4 floors’ worth of shopping. This is where you come for the best Christmas gifts in Warsaw. Food, fashion, fashion & accessories, shoes, books, home furnishing are all here, and with a strong focus on Polish brands. For shoes, visit the Run Colors store or the Shoe House Klasyczne Buty boutique. Women’s fashion is specialised in at the brand store of renowned Polish designer team Paprocki & Brzozowski, whilst tailor-made suits for men can be pursued at Kraviec. More-renowned global brands are found at Chosen One boutique, possessing the likes of Dior, Chanel, and many others. 

Located in Warsaw’s Powiśle district., which is named after its idyllic proximity to the Vistula River, and less than 200m from its iconic riverside boulevards, Elektrownia is conveniently located in proximity of the Centrum Nauki Copernik Metro Station, meaning you can get to-and-from the city center in just a few minutes.

Winter at Elektrownia 

If all of the above weren’t enough, Elektrownia has become the spot to go for winter activities this season, largely thanks to the Winter Town powered by Porsche Centrum Warszawa Okęcie! The event includes a range of attractions, from an ice rink on Dobra Piazza to creative workshops (and of course, a Porsche 911 along with photos of other gorgeous cars to ogle as you visit). Even if crafts aren’t your thing, you can spend a great day meandering around the lit-up center, listening to Christmas music, checking out the Food Hall or restaurants and, of course, doing all of your Christmas shopping at the many stores! 
For those who are interested in Christmas Crafts, here’s the list of what to do and when (and remember, no age limit here – children and adults alike will love this):

Dec. 1- Ceramics workshops
Dec. 2 - Make your own Christmas Cards
Dec. 6 - Prepare Christmas tree decorations
Dec. 8 - Create macrame tree pendants
Dec. 9 - Painting on water workshop (Turkish ebru)
Dec. 15 - Make your own Christmas decorations
Dec. 16 - Decorate Christmas balls  
Dec. 17 - Decorate gingerbread
Dec. 22 - Make soy candles
Dec. 23 - Make Christmas tree decorations with decoupage

ΘH/I‑6, ul. Dobra 42, ΜCentrum Nauki Kopernik, tel. (+48) 22 128 56 00. The main site is open Mon-Sun 11:00-21:00. Food Hall is open Sun-Thu 12:00-23:00, Fri 12:00-24:00, Sat 11:00-24:00 Beauty Hall is open Mon-Sat 08:00-20:00, Sun 10:00-19:00. Υ­6