An icon has no age; it has meaning and identity

Can a building approaching its centenary become a symbol of modern urban thinking? Renoma, a protected modernist landmark in the heart of Wroclaw, continues to embody the city’s architectural heritage and its evolving lifestyle. It maintains its place in the daily rhythm of local life, anchoring memory and momentum.

Thanks to the bold vision of its owner and operator, Globalworth Poland, the building has been revitalised into a prestigious mixed-use asset that offers new ways to spend time, new reasons to return and a renewed sense of relevance. It stands as a compelling example of responsible, sustainable transformation – one that marries respect for history with an active role in shaping the future. So what defines this Wroclaw landmark today?

Built in 1930 by the Wertheim brothers, Renoma originally opened as Kaufhaus Wertheim – at the time one of the most advanced department stores in Central Europe. Its modernist design, clad in ceramic tiles and high-quality materials, quickly earned it iconic status in pre-war Breslau. Architectural details abounded, including the ceramic sculpted heads that still line the façade today. These figures embodied the founders’ ethos: openness, diversity, cosmopolitan curiosity, quality, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

“Even in its earliest days, Renoma was never just a place for shopping,” says Barbara Wójcik, long-time director of Renoma and asset management & retail leasing director at Globalworth Poland. “It included cafés, and a restaurant with panoramic views of the Sudetes. The building was designed as a place for social connection – elegant yet accessible, blending commerce, leisure and civic life.”

Though it changed functions multiple times after the war, the building never lost its central role in the commercial and social fabric of the city.

A vision-led transformation
In 2009, Renoma underwent a major renovation led by local architectural studio, Maćków. A new wing was added, along with an underground car park and usable space was expanded. But Renoma’s most ambitious transformation began in 2017, when Globalworth Poland took ownership.

Between 2020 and 2022, the building was reconfigured to reopen to the city on two sides – toward Plac Czysty and Plac Kościuszki – creating new public-facing spaces for events and gatherings. Additionally, the internal atriums have been enlarged, restoring their historical shape.

“We extended its functionality in ways that honour the Wertheim legacy – openness, quality and innovation – but reinterpreted for the 21st century and rooted in respect for the city, its people and the environment,” says Ms Wójcik.

Renoma is now a true mixed-use destination, addressing a wide spectrum of user needs.

“Renoma hosts art and AI exhibitions, intergenerational dance events, silent discos for young people, film screenings and concerts, while also collaborating with local cultural institutions. It has become a platform for business, with regular workshops, tours and meet-ups for entrepreneurs and start-ups. Part of the building has been converted into premium office space, and June 2024 marks the launch of a new flexible workspace concept: Ace of Space.”

Gastronomy, once located on the top floor, has been relocated to more accessible lower levels – making it more visible, vibrant and inviting. As part of this shift, the long-anticipated food & chill zone PeDeT was introduced, along with a premium dining area anchored by two acclaimed chef-driven concepts: Dinette by Jolanta Jurkowlaniec and ZUCCA by Karol Szafraniec.

“The name PeDeT is a nod to the building’s post-war moniker – PDT, or ‘Public Department Store’ – and a tribute to the memory of a place deeply rooted in Wrocław’s collective identity,” says Ms Wójcik. “It’s not a traditional food court. It’s a distinctive space, stylistically inspired by 1970s design and the renewed interest in Polish modernism. It draws young people, tourists and long-time locals alike. Renoma has become a gastronomic magnet – authentic and accessible.”

Since it opened on 2 April 1930, Renoma’s strength has been its ability to adapt. It has evolved alongside the city and the changing habits of urban life. Today, overlapping functions – retail, food, culture, flexible workspaces – are designed to support one another. Office workers shop downstairs. Guests from PeDeT rent co-working desks. Shoppers stay for lunch. Visitors leave bikes in the cycle zone. It’s a self-sustaining urban ecosystem, creating truly unique, inimitable urban vibe

Renoma is, above all, a project defined by continuity. Almost every local family has a story connected to the place – memories that build lasting bonds across generations. This authenticity is valued by clients and tenants alike. It builds trust, loyalty and a shared sense of quality.

Mixed-use: a future-proof format
Renoma isn’t the only example of adaptive reuse. A similar transformation is underway in Katowice’s Supersam, a once-dominant retail hall from 1937, now also managed by Globalworth Poland. There, a new future is taking shape – one that combines commerce, gastronomy and a balance of conventional and flexible workspaces.

“Managing mixed-use heritage assets is a long-term journey,” says Ms Wójcik. “It requires sensitivity to social dynamics, emerging trends and shifts in urban lifestyles. But even nearly century-old buildings can still surprise, inspire, and help define the future of our cities.”