A representative of the Wallenberg family talked to Prof. Marek Bojarski, rector of the University of Wroclaw, in the spring about buying a palace. For several years now, the university has been seeking buyers for the building, which since 1945 has been occupied by the administration of the University Library and its department of Development of Collections. But for three years now, they have been residing in a new building at ul. Joliot-Curie.
The building was erected in the late eighteenth century by Carl Gotthard Langhans, the author of, among others, the Brandeburg Gate. It was the seat of the family Wallenberg - Pachaly. With time, part of the building was occupied by the head offices of Commerzbank. The palace was rebuilt several times. Today, the wing facing ul. Kazimierza Wielkiego has four floors, while that facing ul. Szajnochy has three floors. The total is nearly 1 200 sq. m. of floor area.
The university has repeatedly announced tenders for the building at ul. Szajnochy, each time lowering the asking price - in the past year the amount was 16 million zloty. 'The representative of the Wallenbergs argued that it was too much, because the renovation of the building will be costly,' said Prof. Marek Bojarski.
In June 2016, the University announced yet another tender. This time the asking price is 11.1 million zloty. 'It's the price according to the appraisal, we can't lower it,' says Barbara Starnawska, Deputy Chancellor of the University of Wroclaw. Will the lower price convince the heirs of the former owners?
'In the previous tenders, the Wallenbergs asked for tender conditions, but in the end didn't place any offers, didn't join the tender. It's hard to say how things work out this time. The deadline for bids is September 20,' adds Barbara Starnawska.
The representative of the Swedish family did not reveal in detail how the building would be used. The local development plan provides for this plot, among others, a luxury hotel. 'I joked that since Commerzbank operated here, they should establish a bank,' said Prof. Marek Bojarski.
