The building, a palatial townhouse, was constructed between 1895 and 1897 on a plot of land granted by Count Ksawery Branicki to the WTW. The architectural design was conceived by Bronisław Brochwicz-Rogoyski, featuring a striking façade adorned with an allegorical sculpture of the Vistula river by Hipolit Malczewski.
The interior was tragically destroyed by fire in 1944 but subsequently meticulously restored; the building is now a protected Grade II listed monument (equivalent). It served as the year-round headquarters for the WTW, housing a fencing hall, gymnasium, and restaurant, as well as a grand ballroom featuring a celebrated mural of the Warsaw Mermaid by Henryk Siemiradzki.
Historically, the house was a premier social hub for Warsaw’s high society. Notable members of the WTW included Bolesław Prus and Henryk Sienkiewicz, while Stefan Żeromski was a frequent guest.
The building is currently utilised for commercial purposes.
ACCOMMODATION
- Lower Ground Floor: Storage rooms, cold storage, freezer areas, preparation rooms, plant rooms, ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloakrooms, circulation areas.
- Ground Floor: Restaurant with dining rooms, professional kitchen, scullery, storage, ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloakrooms, entrance hall, bar, cloakroom.
- First Floor: Boutique, ancillary rooms, circulation areas.
- Second Floor: Event space (former ballroom), changing rooms, bar, ladies’ and gentlemen’s cloakrooms, circulation areas.
- Third Floor: Offices, conference room, VIP suites, circulation areas.
PLANNING PERMISSION
The property on Foksal Street falls under the local development plan, designation B6.3C–MWU (inner-city residential and mixed-use zone). Permitted primary uses include: multi-family residential; collective housing such as hotels, guesthouses, and student accommodation; and professional services including offices, retail (excluding petrol stations), catering/hospitality, healthcare (excluding hospitals), education, culture, science, and tourism. Supplementary permitted uses include public administration, postal and telecommunications services, and light crafts (excluding motor vehicle repairs).
LOCATION
The building occupies a prime central location in Warsaw, within the Śródmieście district. The immediate environs are characterised by historic architecture, fine dining, cafés, and galleries. Nearby landmarks include the Royal Route and Ujazdowski Park. Foksal Street is an established, prestigious address with a distinct character, highly regarded by locals and visitors alike for its exceptional cultural and gastronomic offerings.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The building is currently fitted as the Chaton Warsaw Club (nightclub and restaurant). A comprehensive programme of renovation was completed between 2016 and 2019.
WTW (Warszawskie Towarzystwo Wioślarskie)
Founded in 1878, the "Warsaw Rowing Society" is one of the city's most storied institutions. For decades, it served as the social epicentre for the urban elite—a venue where sporting ambition and high-society culture converged.
