In the summer of 2024, demolition began on one of Poland’s most famous failed construction projects – the “villa on a block” in Jastrzębie-Zdrój. The five-story building on Północna Street was built in the early 1990s at the initiative of the Miners’ Housing Cooperative. In 1994, detective Jerzy Godlewski purchased several apartments on the top floor of the new building and, after obtaining the appropriate permits, began construction of a multi-story extension – a residence with an area of ​​approximately 2,000 square meters (including a garden). Among the planned features were a heliport, a large shark aquarium, a swimming pool, a mini-zoo with exotic animals, and an MI 2 helicopter cabin with a beer bar built into the terrace wall.

The postmodernist-inspired design was intended to fulfill Godlewski’s dreams, but it was not a completely hopeless venture. Godlewski had the necessary funds, obtained the necessary permits, and had some experience with this type of investment – ​​he had previously worked for a Swiss company that built superstructures on apartment blocks. However, in 2000, the building inspectorate halted work, leading to a conflict with the residents and the cooperative managing the property. A few years later, a long-term legal battle began, ultimately ending in 2024 with a final demolition order. Meanwhile, Godlewski’s superstructure has become the subject of hundreds of mocking memes, nationwide criticism (“the ugliest apartment building in Poland,” “a multiplex among apartment blocks”), and considerable popularity, becoming a destination for architectural tourism.

The demolition costs are estimated at at least 6 million złoty, and during the demolition, the tenants of the 10 apartments on the lower floor will be temporarily relocated to alternative accommodation.