Baskervill, an international architectural, engineering, and design firm, opened up its Gdańsk-rooted office in Officyna. A 200-square-metre office provides a comfortable space for work and development, and furthermore, a beautiful panoramic view of the post-shipyard area, and of the Gdańsk Technical University campus as well.
Baskervill, an American architectural and design office, prides itself on a 126-year-long history. The company established its European subsidiary in Gdańsk at the and of 2019, when Marcin Garbacz, a Pole, returned to its motherland after spending nearly two decades in the United States. This is when an idea emerged to expand Baskervill’s cooperation with Polish architects and designers, and to set up a company’s branch office in Gdańsk. For several years, a common office space was being used, and in 2022, once the in-company team had expanded, a search for the permanent location began – one’s proper own office. The employees needed a comfortable and dynamic space which would cater for their respective work and action modes. It was also essential to provide room for flexibility that would facilitate further growth, and meet future needs. These very requirements were fulfilled by the space found in Officyna, an office building located in Gdańsk Wrzeszcz, erected by Torus.
- A lot of natural light, a location in the city centre well-served by public transport, alongside the given freedom in arranging the space which, as architects and designers, we could flexibly adjust to our work mode, needs, and strategic goals – these were our priorities while searching for the office – says Marcin Garbacz, Managing Director in Gdańsk-based Baskervill branch office.
Thanks to the energy-saving and certification properties of the building, it perfectly aligns with the company’s core vales.
- Officyna’s location, all strengths of the building, alongside Torus’ engagement in sustainable growth and elasticity, were all key factors throughout the decision-making process. Our fast-developing team needed space that is dynamic and future-oriented. Officyna was the obvious choice for us. Hand in hand with Torus, we designed the interior in which we feel more than comfortable, which provides us with the comfort to develop efficiently. Importantly, we have fitted out the office with furniture made by Polish local manufacturers – adds Marcin Garbacz.
In Officyna, the Baskervill team have created another ‘home’ in which the company can realize its advanced design policy.
- Another company has chosen Officyna as its place for development in Gdańsk. We are more than happy to have an architectural firm among the tenants as the company paid special attention to construction details, and to the solutions delivered directly onto the office space – says Marcin Piątkowski, Leasing Director in Torus.
Officyna emerged in two stages, and its total leasable area amounts to 12,300 square metres. The building that constitutes the second stage of Officyna, in which the new Baskervill office is located, rests at the far end of the land plot, and is connected with the first stage by the direct passageway. The main entrance to Officyna is located along Grunwaldzka Avenue (through stage I), with another entrance to be found from the unit linking two buildings. The car drive-in onto the Officyna area is placed at Wassowskiego St.
The investment is located in a city site which is well-served by public transport, situated along the main thoroughfare, with easy access to multiple means of city transport. In close proximity, one can find bus and tram stops, and the PKP/SKM/PKM railway station as well. Torus has provided the building with respective infrastructure for cyclists who can find changing rooms, lockers, and shower facilities inside the building, with bike parking lots located both inside the garage hall and outdoors.
The office building is cosy and constitutes an interesting offer primarily for small and medium-sized companies which will now find high-quality office space in this part of the city more accessible. The investment is surrounded by numerous service, food, and commercial premises, making it easy for the respective employees to satisfy their everyday needs.
Officyna was designed by APA Wojciechowski Trójmiasto, an architectural office. Both buildings are certificated in the LEED system, on the highest level of platinum. Consequently, the buildings fulfil high ecological standards, are energy-saving, and made from human-friendly construction materials.
About Torus
Torus is one of the leaders among Polish office developers, although the company’s portfolio is far broader – it is made up of hotel investments, including revitalizations, warehouses, and residential housing as well. Up to now, Torus has delivered more than 180,000 sq.m. of leasable space onto the Tricity market, and has concluded seven sales transactions of its office property to six various funds (five buildings in Arkońska Business Park and four stages of Alchemia) for the combined fee of nearly 370 million Euro. More information at www.torus.pl.
About Baskervill
Established in 1897 in Richmond, Virginia, Baskervill is one of the nation’s oldest continually operating architectural firms, with an ever-expanding global reach. Baskervill provides creative solutions in architecture, interior design, and MEP engineering, servicing a diverse group of clients – hotels, resorts, civil and college institutions, healthcare centres, offering corporate workplaces, multi-functional projects, and many more. By applying a well-proven method of Ask. Listen. Create., Baskervill cooperates with clients in order to design spaces that support ideas and connect people. More information to be found at www.baskervill.com.
