Ballestrem Palace under renovation [GALLERY]

The building in ul Włodkowica dates back to the end of the 19th century. It was founded by Franz Xaver von Ballestrem, President of the Reichstag. The Ballestrems were one of the wealthiest families in Silesia, and they had both steelworks and coal mines in the area. The building was designed by Albert Grau.

Immediately after World War II, the building housed the Communist Security Service, and later it was converted into a residential building. Two years ago, the City of Wroclaw sold this 1.5 thousand sqm building with its 20-are garden to LOOK Finansowanie Inwestycji S.A. for 8.25 million PLN. The renovation and extension design has been prepared by Maćków Pracownia Projektowa.

Wooden cable boxes and Villeroy&Boch tiles

Historic ornaments in the hall at the main entrance and in the staircase are interspersed with graffiti made with spray paint and marker pens.

"Despite the palace's turbulent history, a number of original ornaments and furnishings have survived, including columns and banisters in the staircase. In some of the rooms woodwork, doors, wardrobes and wood panellings have survived, and they will return to the building after the renovation. We have dismantled the original mouldings to prepare casts necessary in the restoration process," says Bartłomiej Witwicki, an architect and the author of the renovation design.

Wooden cable boxes were something of a surprise. Even though they are in good condition, they hadly comply to modern requirements. "We found Villeroy&Boch tiles in bathrooms, and some of them were in good condition. We asked the company if they were able to produce such a design. The said it as possible, but they quoted the price that was too high," says the architect.

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A club, a restaurant and offices

The work in the building is supervised by two historians who represent the investor and the City Conservation Officer, respectively. Mr Witwicki says that despite all costs the investor primarily aims to save as many historic elements in the building as possible. "This is unique when you look at other entrepreneurs who buy historic buildings," he says.

Wooden ceilings had to be replaced with those made of concrete. The roof is also new, and it has an original shape, too. The representatives of the investor, the historians and the designer met on Wednesday to discuss the colour of the building's elevation. The samples collected from underneath the paint and the stucco demonstrate that the original colour of the palace was similar to ochre.

Original windows have survived in the Maltese Hall, which is the largest room in the building. Original designs will also be restored in other rooms. Stained glass windows according to Albert Grau's design will be restored in the staircase. Marble window sills will be renovated.

The building will also perform a new function. The basement will house a music club , and the ground floor will be converted into a restaurant. Upper stories will serve as offices. We are going to provide office spaces that are cosy, well quipped and comfortable. They are perfectly suited for lawyers," explains Bartłomiej Witwicki. "Larger meetings will be held in the Maltese Hall and in the Belvedere Room in the attic.

The restaurant will be connected through the porch with the terrace and the garden adjacent to Promenada Staromiejska.

Bartłomiej Witwicki: "It is an intriguing challenge for an architect to preserve the building's original components. No detailed pre-1945 photographs of the palace have survived, and it can only be seen in the background of several photographs that represent Plac Wolności. The building's design can in turn be found in the City Archive.

The renovation is expected to be completed in July 2015.