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“I'm not from Warsaw, I'm from Żoliborz!” - this humoristic statement highlighiting unique character of the district remains gladly repeated by its inhabitants. Żoliborz, even if relatively young, managed to be perceived as one of the most luxurious locations of Warsaw.

“Joli bord, beautiful embankment,” these words, believed to be spoken by queen Marysieńka Sobieska who saw gardens surrounding the palace situated on the bank for the first time. Later, during the interwar period, people decided that the embankment should not only be beautiful, but also practical, functional and profitable. Modern and trendy housing estate was to be built next to the dreaded Russian Citadel. Żoliborz has offerred working class light, simple and modern houses with bathrooms and full infrastructure – from joint boiler-house and baths, through kindergarten, up to the market shop, which was something completely opposite to small, dark tenant houses lacking the sewage system. Then some humble villas for journalists and office workers, as well as those more impressive ones, dedicated to the army elite, started to appear in close proximity. This is the genesis of Żoliborz – district of unique atmosphere that cannot be found in any other part of the city. For that reason more and more people start to be interested in purchasing or renting apartments in the area.

Location – the biggest advantage of Żoliborz

Żoliborz is located north from Śródmieście (downtown of the city), along the Vistula river, with neighbouring districts of Bielany, Bemów and Wola. Location is with no doubt one of the strongest points of the district. Subway stations: Marymont, Wilson Square (Plac Wilsona) and Dworzec Gdański Żoliborz provide great connection to the city center which is only 12 minutes away. Bus and streetcar lines are agreat means of convenient communication with any desired part of Warsaw. What is more, there is also no problem with access to the airport. Żoliborz offers well-designed system of cycling tracks connected to picturesque route along the Vistula.

Greenery

Żoliborz is one of the “green oases” of Warsaw. Park which surrounds The Citadel is adjacent to Żeromski Park at Wison Square. Kaskada park located in close proximity to Bielany as well as Sady Żoliborskie would also be an excellent choice to rest and relax. Wide greenband along the Vistula and in its old river-bed ends with beautifully designed Park Kępa Potocka. All the areas are well cared-for and designed for sake of leisure. Parents and children appreciate modern park playgrounds, teenagers play boules, balance on stacklines, ride longoboards. There is also possibility of kayaking through the duct.

Parks of Żoliborz are not short of cafes, summer gardens and restaurants. Thanks to the recent growth of interest in the district, more and more new restaurants and bars open here every few weeks. Every fan of burgers, craft beer of vegan food would more than likely find something for themselves in these mostly Berlin-like places of friendly and easy-going atmosphere.

What is living in Żoliborz like?

Many locals strongly state that if they didn't have to work in other district, they would not leave Żoliborz for many days, which should not be perceived as strange since Żoliborz offers everything that is needed for comfort and convenient living. Families with children appreciate the closeness of excellent educational institutions like Liceum im. Stanisława Witkiewicza (Stansław Witkiewicz High School) or bilingual Liceum i Gimnazjum im. Stefanii Sempołowskiej (Stefania Sempołowska High- and Juior High School) which offers lessons in Polish and French language. There is also private Gimnazjum i Liceum Sióstr Nazaretanek (Nazareth Middle and High School).

Inhabitants of Żoliborz can go for shopping to Arkadia shopping mall. Film admirers who would choose movie theaters rather than multiplexes can enjoy the offer of movie theater Wisła or arthouse Elektronik. Culltural offer includes also Teatr Komedia. Cultural and art center FORT located next to Wilson Square holds open-air events, expositions or concerts. There are also events like Dni Żoliborza (Żoliborz Days), open-air retro dancings, craftsmen or organic food fairs, as well as Christmas and Easter Markets. There is no possibility to be bored while being in Żoliborz!

Where to choose the apartment?

Żoliborz is a very cohesive, but internally diverse district, which reflects in differentiation of the real estate market. Persons interested in buying apartment in Żoliborz can choose from the wide range of options: prewar tenant houses, residential blocks, villas, spacious penthouse or one of newly built apartment houses. Opportunity to buy a villa here is rare and intended rather for the most wealthy; it is an excellent choice for rental purposes. Houses in Żoliborz gain interest of companies seeking for prestigious but quiet location, dimplomats and business persons who would like to have Polish artists, people of culture and celebrities as neighbors.

Spacious apartments in tenant houses and tiny flats in prewar urban complex called Kolonie (Colonies) are alsoworth attention in context of living and investment. Such properties are interesting especially for young business persons and artists who do not need ample spaces, but appreciate modernist heritage and convenient location.

New investments include mostly Żoliborz Przemysłowy (Industrial Żoliborz) which is adjacent to Śródmieście and used to be an actual industrial part of the district. Subdivision Żoliborz Artystyczny (Artistic Żoliborz), inspired by modernist heritage of Stary Żoliborz (Old Żoliborz) features more than 300 apartments of diverse floor area and standard. Distinctive feature of this part of the district is modern art which elements were included in common space.

Subdivision Mickiewicza I is a part especially worth mentioning. Located at the border of Bielany and Żoliborz, Mickiewicza I is the first area that applied for BREEAM certificate for eco-friendly investments. One of the elements taken under consideration in the process of conferring the certificate is greenery in the subdivision included at the stage of urban area project design provided by the developer. Skanska offers garden mazes, animal feeders, and leisure areas for people in every age, including the youngest ones for the needs of whom company has designed wooden eco-playground.