Develia has begun construction of Bracka Vita, a mixed-use residential development on the site of the former Baildon steelworks in Katowice. Designed by architect Maciej Franta and his studio Franta Group, the project will deliver seven buildings with more than 900 apartments in total, along with over 20 ground-floor commercial units offering shops, restaurants with outdoor seating, and other everyday services. The first phase comprises a 17-storey building with 132 apartments ranging from 39 to 118 sqm, with prices starting at PLN 9,900 per sqm. Key handover is planned for the fourth quarter of 2028. The general contractor is Develia Construction.
The development will also include 3 hectares of publicly accessible shared space, pedestrian and cycling paths, underground parking and electric vehicle charging stations. Green roofs will feature rest areas, while two second-floor patios will house a sensory garden, yoga zones, an outdoor gym and playgrounds. Public walkways are planned along the Rawa river, which runs adjacent to the site.
"We are delivering not just residential buildings but a functional micro-district that will become an integral part of the city. On a post-industrial site, with respect for the history of the place, we want to create an open, vibrant space that will serve both future residents of Bracka Vita and the local community," said Tomasz Bardadin, director of the product creation department at Develia. He added that the studio of Maciej Franta was chosen because the architect's vision allows the industrial heritage of the Baildon steelworks to be combined with the new function of the site.
"Designing Bracka Vita, we wanted to preserve the memory of the industrial history of the place. It was not about literally reproducing the architecture of the former steelworks, but about creatively using its character and translating it into a contemporary design language, with particular attention to facade details that directly reference the intricate structures of the original buildings," said Maciej Franta, architect and founder of Franta Group. The design incorporates restored steelworks lamps and reclaimed brick as decorative accents, along with public heritage trails, information boards and pylons relating to the steelworks and its founder, Scottish engineer John Baildon.
The location benefits from proximity to Silesian Park and good transport links to Katowice city centre and other cities in the metropolitan area, including tram and bus stops, Katowice Załęże railway station and the Drogowa Trasa Średnicowa expressway. Nearby amenities include schools, medical facilities, a farmers' market and Silesia City Center shopping and entertainment complex.
