Third Life of a Legend – Café Adria Transforms into Modern Apartments at 8 Moniuszki St.

In the latest episode of the Estate FM podcast, which focuses on the most significant investments in Warsaw, the creators of the ambitious revitalization project at 8 Moniuszki Street shared their insights. Katarzyna Dworzyńska (LivUp), Piotr Lasek (APMD), and Katja Sadziak (ID Studio) discussed the history, structural challenges, and future vision for this iconic site.

8 Moniuszki Street, once the vibrant heart of pre-war Warsaw’s social life, is undergoing a major transformation. LivUp has officially launched the revitalization of the historic building that formerly housed the legendary Café Adria. By the second quarter of 2027, the site will be transformed into a modern residential building offering 65 high-standard rental units.

“Our goal is to restore the former glory of this place with great respect for its history and heritage, while simultaneously giving it a new life as a modern residential space,” emphasizes Katarzyna Dworzyńska, Senior Project Manager at LivUp.

The building, an icon of 1930s Warsaw modernism, required an extremely precise architectural approach.

“The most difficult thing in architecture is not building something new, but above all, giving meaning to what already exists. Moniuszki 8 is proof that modernity and history can not only coexist but also inspire each other,” says architect Piotr Lasek, head of APMD.

The unique atmosphere of the interiors was curated by ID Studio, focusing on a dialogue with history rather than a literal reconstruction.

“We wanted to draw from interwar aesthetics, but absolutely not as a reconstruction – more as an inspiration. I treat this project as a nod to Warsaw’s interwar period, a bit like a historical collage,” explains Katja Sadziak.

The investment is part of the broader “New Center of Warsaw” urban program. In addition to 65 apartments, the building will feature a lobby with a concierge, a gym, a rooftop garden, and commercial spaces on the underground levels, which have the potential to once again become a key destination on the city’s culinary map.

We invite you to listen to the full podcast episode, where the project creators reveal technical behind-the-scenes details of working with the pre-war structure and share more about the planned observation deck.