In the Polish city of Żory, work has begun on a large-scale residential quarter. The official groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction of a total of 405 new apartments, which will provide the population with urgently needed, affordable housing. The project covers a living space of around 25,000 square metres and is a central component of further urban development in this growing region. Completion and handover of the buildings is planned for mid-2028.
In order to efficiently implement a project of this scale, the city of Żory and HOCHTIEF are taking an approach that is unique in Poland: the neighbourhood is being built as a public-private partnership (PPP). This model involves long-term cooperation between the public and private sectors. As a partner to the municipality, HOCHTIEF is not only responsible for the financing, planning and construction of the four nine-storey buildings. Once completed, the company will also take over operation and maintenance for the next 20 years.
Complete infrastructure and intelligent water management
The buildings have a total floor space of approximately 45,000 square metres. In addition to the turnkey apartments, five commercial units are being built on the ground floors. Furthermore, the project includes more than 550 parking spaces, which are distributed across underground garages and above-ground areas. The concept deliberately goes beyond purely residential buildings and includes the immediate surroundings. The new neighbourhood will include access roads, pavements, a playground and spacious leisure areas and green spaces. HOCHTIEF is also constructing an entirely new technical infrastructure. This includes energy supply and telecommunications as well as a modern rainwater management system with retention areas that collect and control the drainage of precipitation water.
A blueprint for public housing
Adam Szejnfeld, Senator of the Republic of Poland, considers the project to be of strategic importance: “Modernising cities requires effective tools. The PPP model is precisely the lever we need to realise municipal construction projects swiftly and efficiently. Żory provides practical proof that the public sector and experienced commercial partners can work hand in hand to create urgently needed housing.”
Waldemar Socha, Mayor of Żory, emphasises the benefits for the municipality: ““For several years, we have been pursuing a housing policy that is unique on a national scale. We are creating high-quality living space for 405 families without burdening the municipal budget with massive, short-term construction costs. The long-term partnership also gives us the assurance that the buildings and outdoor facilities will still be professionally maintained in 20 years’ time.”
Responsibility throughout the entire life cycle
For HOCHTIEF, the commitment in Żory underlines its ambition to comprehensively support municipalities with complex infrastructure projects. Peter Coenen, Managing Director at HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions, explains: “By precisely coordinating planning, construction and long-term operation, we ensure the economic and sustainable quality of the properties throughout their entire life cycle. With this first project in Polish residential construction, the concept is becoming a model for future urban development.”
Several units within the Group are collaborating closely. HOCHTIEF PPP Inwestycje Polskie is acting as the official private partner of the city of Żory. HOCHTIEF Polska is responsible for the construction work on site, while HOCHTIEF PPP Solutions is responsible for the entire life cycle of the project.
(c)HOCHTIEF
