History

The process of development of individual zones and streets of the suburbs of Zielona Góra began as early as in the 14th century. The growing town needed land for residential, commercial and craft development. The area where the tenement house is located has evolved behind defensive walls quiet late, only in the 17th century. This suburban area, known as the ‘Lower’ (‘Dolny’), is visible on the map dating from 1784. The map shows the current al. Niepodległości, which was an unpaved road intersecting fields and public gardens at that time. Only when Zielona Góra was connected to a railway line in 1871, the road was regulated and plots of land were demarcated for future development, which was shaped mainly in the late 19th century and the early 20th century. Incomplete archival records on the tenement house have been preserved. The records suggest that the building was erected by construction industry tycoon Carl Lorentz according to his own design in 1897. The tenement house was built on his private plot of land. Carl Lorentz was one of the wealthiest inhabitants of Zielona Góra. He was the owner of fourteen houses within the city boundaries, including several houses in the current Niepodległości Ave. In 1912, the lower ground floor of the tenement house was extended by adding stairs from the side of the back rooms and a semi-circular porch to the avant-corps. Hostilities of the Second World War did not lead to more damage to the building. After the war, the local government took over ownership of the tenement house and since that time it has been occupied for residential purposes. In the 1960s, the tenement house underwent complete renovation, which involved adapting the loft to provide office space. In 2000, its interior was renovated. In 2004, the facade, roof and staircase underwent conservation and restoration. No major alterations have been made to the structure. Currently, the tenement house is used as offices and for residential purposes, while the ground floor houses a catering facility. The structure is one of the most representative buildings in the city.

Description

The building is free-standing and is located in Niepodległości Avenue, in the north-eastern part of the city, on the outskirts of the old town, in Niepodległości Avenue, on a small plot of land with separate wide access annexes on both sides. A pavement is in front of the facade and a small yard with an earthen surface is situated in the back of the building. The tenement house features an elongated square floor plan and was built of brick. The building’s walls are covered with plaster on both sides. The building has four storeys and is covered with a flat roof with gables on the facade and the west-facing front of the building. Windows in the gables are characterised by a rich architectural form. The facade is divided into three decorative horizontal cornices. The body of the building is enriched by two avant-corps on the facade and one central west-facing avant-corps. A basement extends under the whole structure. The main entrance located in an avant-corps is accentuated by richly framed portal topped with a metal roof. Above the roof there is an elliptical window. The facades of the building are ornamented with decorative elements in the classicist, Baroque and Renaissance style. Large windows, varying in size and proportions, framed by wide surrounds, are the main component of the facade. Part of the original window and door woodwork has been preserved. The body of the building has been preserved in its original state without major changes. The disposition of the interior of the building has been slightly altered, which resulted from the adaptation of the rooms for residential purposes and for use as offices. Some rooms feature the original decorations as well as fixtures and fittings. Historical interior decorations and fixtures and fittings include stained glass adorned with motifs of flora and fauna in the ground-floor room and stucco decoration, among others. The facades and interior of the tenement house exhibit an eclectic architectural design.

Limited access to the monument.

Compiled by Krzysztof Słowiński, Regional Branch of the National Heritage Board of Poland in Zielona Góra, 08-07-2014 r.

Bibliography

• B. Bielinis-Kopeć (red.), Zabytki Zielonej Góry, Zielona Góra 2007.
• Bujakiewicz Z., Krajobraz materialny i społeczny Zielonej Góry od końca XVIII do połowy XX wieku, Zielona Góra 2003.
• Janowska W., Zielona Góra. Wytyczne konserwatorskie do miejscowych planów zagospodarowania przestrzennego, Zielona Góra 2004.
• Kaczmarczyk Z., Wędzki A. (red.), Studia na początkami i rozplanowaniem miast nad środkową Odrą i dolną Wartą, Zielona Góra 1970.
• Kowalski S., Zabytki Środkowego Nadodrza, Zielona Góra 1976.
• Strzyżewski Wojciech (red.), Historia Zielonej Góry. Dzieje miasta do końca XVIII wieku, t. 1, Zielona Góra 2011.