Vacant properties – are they worth renovating?

According to Statistics Poland (GUS), as of the end of 2023, the country’s housing stock totalled over 15.7 million dwellings. With a population of 37.6 million, this equates to approximately 2.4 person per dwelling. Eurostat data indicates that the average number of rooms per person in Poland is 1.2, the second lowest in the EU, where the EU average is 1.6. Additionally, 36.9% of Poles live in overcrowded housing, far above the EU average of 17.5%. The 2021 national census recorded 15.34 million dwellings, with approximately 12.1% unoccupied, translating to 1.86 million vacant properties in Poland.

The issue of vacant properties has become a frequent topic of political and social discussions, especially considering rising real estate prices and housing overcrowding. Proper utilization of these properties could help alleviate housing shortages. This raises the question: does it make sense to renovate old, abandoned buildings?

Causes of vacant properties

Poland has many vacant properties, both in large cities and rural areas. This can be attributed to various factors, i.e. economic factors – sometimes, renovation costs exceed the property’s potential market value, prompting residents to abandon such buildings. In other cases, vacancy may result from migration trends – migration from small towns and villages to larger cities leaves homes and apartments vacant, especially in economically disadvantageous regions like the eastern parts of the country.

Sometimes demographic changes lead to abandoning the properties – many vacant properties belong to elderly individuals. After their death, these properties remain unused due to lack of heirs or disinterest from potential inheritors. Additionally, older adults increasingly move from rural areas and small towns to larger cities for better access to healthcare and social services, which results in increasing number of empty homes in peripheral areas.

In some cases, changes are forced b industrial decline – on post-industrial cities such as Bytom and Wałbrzych, many residential buildings and factories have been abandoned following industrial closures.

Why revitalize vacant properties?

Revitalizing vacant properties is essential for social, economic, environmental and cultural reasons, such as:

• increasing housing availability – vacant properties can be converted into social housing, shelters for the homeless, or homes for refugees;
• preserving existing structures – demolition is increasingly being abandoned in favour of adapting old buildings for new purposes, as renovation is often cheaper than building from scratch;
• environmental benefits – renovating properties aligns with sustainable development principles. Instead of demolishing old structures and generating waste, existing infrastructure can be reused, reducing carbon footprints, recycling materials, and saving energy.
• urban planning efficiency – revitalization supports efficient space management, curbing urban sprawl, preventing excessive urbanization, and protecting green areas from deforestation and development;
• enhancing urban appeal – restoring abandoned buildings revitalizes degraded urban areas, boosting attractiveness and safety. Vacant properties negatively impact surrounding areas, lowering their value. Revitalization can transform these spaces into art galleries, cultural centres or coworking spaces, fostering community integration and attracting investors;
• preserving architectural and historical heritage – renovating historical buildings while adapting them to modern needs helps preserve architectural heritage. Restored properties can symbolize neighbourhood revival, blending history with modernity.

Potential Uses for Vacant Properties

Abandoned buildings offer significant potential for various uses. Adaptive reuse allows buildings to be repurposed for residential, commercial, cultural, or educational purposes, depending on location, structure, and societal needs.

Converting vacant properties into housing addresses housing shortages and rising construction costs. Old warehouses with high ceilings and open spaces are ideal for modern office layouts. Historical properties like palaces, castles, and monasteries can be transformed into luxury hotels, offering unique architecture and rich history. Former factories, with spacious interiors and high ceilings, are perfect for modern loft-style apartments.

Examples of Successful Adaptive Reuse

New Paper Mill, Wroclaw – built in the late 19th century, the former paper mill was converted into 75 industrial-style residential units by a Canadian developer after the factory’s closure.

source: https://www.apsz.com.pl/projekty/nowa-papiernia/

Militia Sanatorium, Nałęczów – Initially built by the Provincial Police Headquarters in Lublin but abandoned due to funding issues. After years of failed sales attempts, it was renovated in 2020 into a hotel and spa facility.

source: https://archenaleczow.pl/hotel/o-nas

Żnin Sugar Factory – this historic factory was transformed into a modern conference and leisure centre, featuring a hotel, restaurants, clubs, a small brewery, a bowling alley, a children’s playroom and a lakeside marina. This investment is a perfect example of an effective 3R rule, which stands for reduce, reuse and recycle.

source: https://www.whitemad.pl/cukrownia-znin-nowe-zycie-starej-fabryki/

Norblin Factory, Warsaw – once a silverware factory, the 2-hectar site was redeveloped into a mixed-use complex with offices, restaurants, shops, a cinema and an open museum showcasing its industrial history. Norblin Factory is one of the most interesting examples of post-industrial properties renovation in Warsaw.

source: https://fabrykanorblina.pl/en/

Janów Podlaski Castle – the ruins of the historic bishop’s castle were restored and converted into a stunning hotel modelled after its 18th-century design.

source: https://www.zamekjanowpodlaski.pl/hotel/galeria#lg=1&slide=0

Conclusions

Revitalizing vacant properties is an investment in a better future. It fosters efficient resource management, addresses social needs, supports the economy and protects the environment. While renovating old, abandoned buildings requires financial and organizational efforts, the benefits far outweigh the challenges, especially amid current housing issues. Unlocking the potential of vacant properties is a step toward sustainable development and improved living conditions.

Monika Grążawska
Customer Relations Senior Specialist