The restoration of a historical urban villas -in-a-park complex in Sopot

Municipality of Sopot thanks to co-financing with the money from the Regional Operational Programme for the Pomorskie Voivodeship for the years 2014-2020 is implementing a project which aims at restoration and conversion of a historical urban villas -in-a-park complex located at 1-3 Jakuba Goyki Street in Sopot to serve the function of ArtInkubator. As part of the same project another sector of Sopot’s Northern Park will undergo restoration.

ArtInkubator

The premises of the historical urban villas -in-a-park complex located at 1-3 Jakuba Goyki Street will be converted to ArtInkubator, in other words a space combining exhibition halls, conference rooms, work studios made available to artists, a scenic viewpoint and a restaurant. There is also a design for a modern library, directed primarily at families with children. In the restored park space surrounding two historical buildings, there will be room for outdoor art events, library events as well as other events organized for Sopot residents. Historical buildings will undergo restoration, residents and tourists will acquire a valuable natural park-and-garden space surrounding the residential areas. The green belt areas will be adapted to serve the function of an outdoor gallery. Creation of new roles to be fulfilled (ArtInkubator and a public library) by the refurbished premises, will facilitate a flow of ideas between artists, the art audiences (tourists, residents) and representatives of the creative arts professions as well as allow for incubating of new art and cultural projects.

Northern Park

The uncovering and reconstruction of Potok Grodowy stream, new walking paths, elements of aesthetically designed street furniture or landscaping, replacement of street lighting – these are only some of the changes introduced in Sopot’s Northern Park.

The basic premise for park adaptation was its connection to the ArtInkubator, by creating a space for planned cultural events and exhibitions of the art works created in conjunction with the ArtInkubator initiative. The park adaptation work consisted of re-ordering the layout of the walking paths and replacement of their surfaces. New and atrractive spaces were created: a square near the Atelier Theatre and the Sfinks Club, a boule court, and a new wide entrance into the park at the Goyki Street axis. Replacement of existing elements of street furniture or landscaping with new elements. A new system of park lighting was created, decorative plants were planted, which improved the aesthetics of the walking avenues.