Skanska Property Poland laid the cornerstone for Axis, the company’s second office project in Krakow. On completion, the investment, located in close proximity to Rondo Mogilskie, will create an important business and communication line of the Małopolska region's capital city.

City officials of Krakow, the fund that acquired Axis, the architectural studio responsible for the design, the building’s main tenant as well as Skanska took part in the ceremony held on Tuesday. The foundation act was signed by Filip Szatanik – City Hall representative, Erik Rydström – representative of Niam, Katarzyna Zawodna – President at Skanska Property Poland, Krzysztof Andrulewicz – President at Skanska S.A., Janusz Machnicki – representative of ABB as well as Artur Jasiński from Jasiński i Wspólnicy architectural studio.

The investment’s development was launched in November 2014 and the building’s first floor is currently under construction. The Axis office building will eventually comprise nine floors above ground and three below. Furthermore, it will provide 173 parking places for employees, and locker rooms with shower cubicles for cyclists as well as charging stations for electrical cars. The building will offer 20 000 sqm of modern leasable office space.

“The Axis office building is an answer to investors’ growing demand for modern and sustainable office space. The project is distinguished by its excellent location, enabling quick communication with Dworzec Kraków Główny railway station and the city’s Main Square. The optimal working environment has been recognized by LEED Gold pre-certification. The elegant Scandinavian style architecture will confirm the investment’s high quality and our focus on ensuring comfort for the scheme’s employees”, says Mariusz Krzak, Regional Director at Skanska Property Poland.

The building is already 50% leased a year before its completion scheduled for Q4 2016. In September 2015, ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, signed a lease agreement for 10 000 sqm. Approximately 1000 IT specialists from ABB will be working in the Axis office building.

“Axis will fall into the category of class-A office buildings - projects distinguished by both high architectural standards and modern technology. The land surrounding the scheme will be in keeping with the characteristics of the historical urban thoroughfares. The space of the main hall was developed linking two squares as entrances - Przy Rondzie Street from the east and Powstania Warszawskiego Alley from the west. The publicly accessible hall will comprise two floors and be surrounded by numerous shops and service outlets. One of the building's main attractions will be a cafeteria located within a glass pavilion adjacent to Eilego Square. The building will be developed in a prominent location. Furthermore, the views, especially from the building’s top floors, will be among the most beautiful in Krakow," explains Artur Jasiński of Jasiński i Wspólnicy Biuro Architektoniczne Sp. z o.o.

Axis is being developed in close proximity to Rondo Mogilskie, one of the biggest communication arteries in Krakow. The scheme will be built in accordance with the Workplaces by Skanska philosophy, whose aim is to create both friendly and inspiring working places. Increased fresh air ventilation compared to market norms as well as access to natural daylight in 75% of working space will enhance employee efficiency. Furthermore, thanks to the implementation of a number of green solutions, the building will consume 25% less energy and 50% less water according to the local norms. This will result in lower overheads and lessen the impact on the environment.

Architectural studio Artur Jasiński i Wspólnicy Biuro Architektoniczne Sp. z o.o. is the building’s designer. Skanska S.A. is the scheme’s general contractor while Skanska Property Poland is responsible for the building’s commercialization.